England goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced she is retiring from international football with immediate effect.
Earps, 32, was part of the Lionesses’ winning Euro 2022 squad – and helped England reach the World Cup final against Spain the following year.
Having earned 53 caps for her country over an eight-year career, she will still play club football, after joining Paris Saint-Germain from Manchester United last year.
England manager Sarina Wiegman admitted feeling “disappointed” by Earps’s decision and said she “had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer” – when the team will compete in the European Championships in Switzerland.
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But explaining the move in a statement on Tuesday, Earps said: “I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally.
“It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players.
“I’ve spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly. For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive.”
She described her team’s 2022 Euros win as the “best day of my life” and added that she would be “rooting for the girls to do it again this summer”.
‘Huge contribution to whole of English football’
In her statement, Weigman said: “Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football.
“We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer, but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures and the Euros.”
She added Earps has been “clear on her reasons why she has made the decision” and it is “something we need to accept”.
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Earps began playing for England in 2017, winning several accolades, including two FIFA Best Awards and a World Cup Golden Glove.
She was due to link up with the England squad this week for their upcoming Nations League group games against Portugal and Spain.
Hannah Hampton, who had recently replaced Earps in the starting line-up, Khiara Keating, and Anna Moorhouse are the other goalkeepers in the group.
The FA said a “full tribute” to Earps will take place at one of the Lionesses’ fixtures after the summer.
