A sudden wave of emotion has swept through the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as it bids farewell to a beloved icon. After an illustrious 19-year career, NWSL awardee and former Scottish international Jen Beattie has officially announced her retirement from professional soccer. However, the accomplished player steps away from the pitch with a fitting tribute to her remarkable journey.

Beattie’s decision to retire comes on the heels of receiving the prestigious 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the sport both on and off the field. Her legacy includes not only her exceptional performances but also her impact as a leader and role model in the NWSL. The announcement marks the end of her career with Bay FC in the United States, where she spent her final season. Adding a personal touch to her story, Beattie’s connections to a former soccer player make this decision even more meaningful, highlighting the depth of her ties to the game that has defined her life.

Ali Krieger’s girlfriend retires at 33

With a 9-year career in Arsenal, the Bay FC defender decided to call it quits at 33. The NSWL awardee and girlfriend of USWNT soccer legend Ali Krieger is fresh in the news with an emotional environment hovering all over the soccer industry.

An Instagram post by NSWL was out following the decision by Jen Beattie. “Bay FC defender and 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner Jen Beattie has announced her retirement from professional soccer.”

Reflecting on her decision to retire, Beattie shared the emotional whirlwind she’s experiencing as she steps into the next chapter of her life. Despite the bittersweet nature of leaving behind her professional soccer career, she expressed a growing sense of anticipation and readiness for what lies ahead.

“I’m nervous, I’m excited, and all the things, but I’m ready for what’s next,” Beattie said.

This is, however, Jen’s second retirement. The first came off of her international football in 2023, after which she joined the United States club in 2024. Not even a year went by that the soccer player decided to call it quits. Well, sad, right? Moreover, talking about her professional journey, her prominence does not come just as a Scotlander but somewhere else too.

Jen is not just a Scottish star

After spending three years in Scotland, Jen Beattie took a shift towards England, which proved to be a big turning point in her career. As part of Arsenal since 2009, she has achieved one league title, four WSL titles, two FA Cups, and two League Cups. Shifting her focus from there, she then moved to play for the French team Montpellier as a centre-back for a while after finding it difficult to emerge among the leading names in Arsenal.

Having gained some experience at the age of 22, the soccer star finds herself again changing her route back to England, this time with the Manchester City team in 2015. Trained under the coaching of Nick Cushing, Jen got herself one WSL title, two FA Cups, and two League Cups. During her four-year stint there, she was part of the Melbourne City team for a four-month tenure, teaming up with players like Kim Little, Jess Fishlock, and Stephanie Catley.

It was back to square one for Jen after wandering off with different teams and finding herself with the Arsenal team once again in 2019. Her second stint with the team saw her give out a successful win in the Conti Cup. But it was suddenly when her happiness turned into sadness and her soccer career took a pause. The journey of her breast cancer put her under a different shed, but the support came from Joe Montemurro, and the Arsenal family made her recovery process easier and with enjoyment.

It was after a nine-year stint in Arsenal that Jen went off to be part of the Bay FC team in the NSWL for the last time in her career. Having similarities with European style, the journey was cut short with her retirement news coming into effect. However, with much interest to continue further, the decision was a hard one to have been made as the soccer league lost out on a major international player.