England and Arsenal Ladies icon Kelly Smith has announced her retirement from football. Smith - who scored 46 goals for England, an all-time record - became Britain's first female professional footballer in 1999 when she moved to New Jersey in the United States.
The 38-year-old won five FA Cups with Arsenal, scoring six times in her five finals. England and Arsenal icon Kelly Smith has retired from playing professional football The 38-year-old Smith became Britain's first ever professional female footballer in 1999 She also earned 117 England caps, represented Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics and played at six major international tournaments, including World Cups and European
Championships.
But Smith admitted it was the right moment to step away from the game. 'It just feels the time is right now,' she told BBC Sport. 'I think I've had a very good career at both international and club level, I've travelled the world and, at the age of 38, the body is telling me it needs to stop. Smith won the FA Cup five times with Arsenal, scoring six goals in her five finals for the club She, who earned 117 England caps, was awarded an MBE for her services to football in 2008 'I don't have any regrets, I've loved every minute of it. Every time I put that England shirt on, I felt a lot of emotion playing for my country.
'The game is in a magnificent place at themoment and it's good to step away at theright time.'
Smith was awarded an MBE for services tofootball in 2008 and was twice named the FAWomen's Players' Player of the Year - in 2006 and 2007.
She was also part of the only British team to win what is now the Champions League when she captured the UEFA
