Chelsea defender Millie Bright undergoes knee surgery following England withdrawal
Chelsea captain Millie Bright has undergone minor knee surgery, the club has confirmed.
The news follows Bright's decision to withdraw from selection for England ahead of Euro 2025.
'Millie will begin a period of rehabilitation with the support of the club's medical department,' Chelsea said in a statement. The club did not confirm a timeframe for Bright's recovery.
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The 31-year-old withdrew from the England squad in May ahead of Nations League games against Portugal and Spain before confirming on Wednesday that she would not play at this summer's Euros.
'Football has given me so much, and representing my country has always been my greatest honour,' Bright said on social media.
'My pride and ego tells me to go but I think the team and the fans deserve more. Right now I'm not able to give 100 per cent mentally or physically.
'As much as I want to be out there running through brick walls for England and fighting alongside my team-mates, stepping back is the right thing for my health, my future in the game and most importantly the team.
Bright has 88 caps for England and has been a staple of the side under Sarina Wiegman, starting every game of the victorious Euro 2022 campaign.
Her decision to withdraw followed goalkeeper Mary Earps' surprise decision to retire from international competition. The Athletic reported that Wiegman had informed Earps that she would no longer be England's first-choice goalkeeper.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Fran Kirby announced her own international retirement on Tuesday.
Bright is Chelsea's longest continuously serving player having joined the side in 2014 from Doncaster Rovers Belles and making her debut the following year. She has won the most games of any player in WSL history.
The defender appeared in all but one of Chelsea's league games in the 2024-25 season as they secured a record-extending sixth straight Women's Super League (WSL) title.
Bright has won eight WSL titles in total as well as the FA Cup six times and the League Cup on three occasions. She also helped Chelsea reach the final of the 2020-21 Women's Champions League, where they were defeated by Barcelona.
She was appointed Chelsea captain ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, having also worn the armband for England at the 2023 World Cup, leading the team to the final.
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