Wales Midfielder Alice Griffiths Announces Retirement
Midfielder Alice Griffiths, who earned 17 caps for Wales, has declared her retirement from professional football at the age of 25, stating that the sport "is just not what I want anymore."
Griffiths was a member of Wales' squad for Euro 2025 but was not selected by coach Rhian Wilkinson for the World Cup qualifying matches against the Czech Republic and Montenegro in March.
Club Career
Throughout her career, Griffiths played for Cardiff Met and Charlton Athletic before moving to Southampton. She also had a brief loan period with Durham. In July 2025, she signed a two-year contract with Scottish club Rangers, but in April she transferred to Exeter City, a team competing in the Women's National League South.
Retirement Statement
Reflecting on her decision, Griffiths shared on social media:
"In October, I went into my final games for Wales and Rangers knowing they would be my last professional matches."
"I was living for moments that lasted minutes and life is far too short for that."
"I had complete control over the timing of my decision, I gave it absolutely everything and sometimes it's okay to say it's just not what I want anymore."
"I might still play the game the girl wearing studs in a concrete garden was so obsessed with, but from now on it won't be who I am, it'll just be a sport I enjoy."
