Republic of Ireland defender Quinn retires
Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn has announced her retirement from the game.The 34-year-old accumulated 134 caps over 16 years since making her debut in a friendly against Poland in February 2008.Quinn scored 16 senior international goals, 15 of which were headers, and played every minute of her country's historic first appearance at the 2023 Women's World Cup.Her club career included spells in England with Notts County, Arsenal and Birmingham City, as well as a season in Italy with Fiorentina.During her time at Arsenal, the county Wicklow native won the Women's Super League and the FA Women's League Cup.She is currently on the books of Birmingham but has not played since suffering a hip injury last October.She follows fellow Republic internationals Diane Caldwell, Niamh Fahey and Julie Ann Russell, who confirmed their retirements over recent months.
'World Cup proved that dreams do come true'
"When the time arrives that you need to write your retirement statement, they are the hardest words to find," Quinn said on Tuesday."But it is time for me to hang up the boots. There are so many reasons as to why or why not but it's just one of those things, when you know, you know.She added that playing for her country was her motivation for playing the game."The Ireland team... that is the reason why I always wanted to play this game. Some of the best moments of my life have been in the green jersey. "I've been part of something so special. The foundations were laid by legends of the women's team before me and for a short period I was lucky enough to play with a few of them too."Then it was up to us to continue that fight to put the Ireland team on map on the international stage. We built, we fought, we were always a team, a group that would give everything to everyone in our Irish bubble. And the World Cup proved that dreams do come true."
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The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool in for Barcola EXCLUSIVE, Chelsea urged to sign Guehi, Prem clubs queue for Sancho
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Scotsman
31 minutes ago
- Scotsman
£400k ace arrives, Penrice stays, 1-cap international signs - Hearts dream XI if transfer rumours are true
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Daily Mirror
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Premier League free agent XI including Kevin De Bruyne, Arsenal star, cult hero
Dozens of Premier League players officially become available for a free transfer on June 30 with plenty set to find new clubs without much trouble as sides search for bargains The released lists have been published, the soon-to-be free agents are searching for new clubs and Premier League sides could find some bargains to fill gaps once July 1 rolls around. And while so much of the focus surrounds the likes of Florian Wirtz's potential arrival at Liverpool in a British record £125m deal or whether Arsenal end up signing Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres to finally fulfil the need for a new centre-forward, several familiar names with piles of experience are set to find new destinations. Or maybe they will be able to broker a last-minute deal to remain at their club - such as Thomas Partey and Arsenal. Here is a strong XI of those available without a fee after June 30. Wayne Hennessey - Nottingham Forest Welsh goalkeeper fell out of favour at Nottingham Forest behind Belgium's Matz Sels but there are worse second-choice options. Vladimir Coufal - West Ham Dependable Czech full back lost his starting role to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the season just passed but can still do a job elsewhere. Victor Lindelof - Manchester United The centre back remains injury prone, the biggest hurdle to him fulfilling a career that offered so much promise when he first arrived at Old Trafford. Next destination remains unclear. Michael Keane - Everton A solid option for those in need of depth at the back. Featured sporadically during final season at Goodison Park. Kyle Walker-Peters - Southampton Endured a season of misery at St Mary's as the club went straight back down to the Championship but he is one of few players in that squad with a genuine claim to remain in the top flight. Pablo Sarabia - Wolves Spanish veteran made twice the number of appearances off the bench as he did starts during final season at Molineux and is being linked with a return to Sevilla. Thomas Partey - Arsenal Gunners remain hopeful that terms can be agreed with the central midfielder, especially after Jorginho confirmed his return to South America, leaving Mikel Arteta short of options in the engine room. Christian Eriksen - Manchester United Dane wants to keep playing despite mobility issues but his experience would still make him an asset to many dressing rooms. Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City Premier League legend has made his feelings about departure from the Etihad clear and has no doubt he can continue to be decisive at the very top. Napoli have appeared at the front of the queue and a deal could be concluded sooner rather than later. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton Striker heading for exit after talks over an extension stalled. At his best he is very good but consistency has remained an issue. Jamie Vardy - Leicester Bid farewell to the Foxes and has been linked with a switch to upwardly mobile Wrexham in the second tier. The mess around him at Leicester should not undermine fact he might still have a season or two of finding the net left. Free agent XI: Hennessey; Coufal, Lindelof, Keane, Walker-Peters; Sarabia, Partey, Eriksen, De Bruyne; Calvert-Lewin, Vardy. Subs: Olsen, Dawson, Mee, Evans, Reguilon, Antonio, Wilson.
