Carli Lloyd has announced her retirement from professional football. 

The 39-year old will bow out with four international friendlies in the autumn, and will play out the rest of the season with NJ/NY Gotham FC before hanging up her boots.

Lloyd is the second-most capped international player in history, with 312 caps. She's also scored 128 international goals following her debut in 2005.

She was part of the United States team that won back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019.

“When I first started out with the National Team in 2005, my two main goals were to be the most complete soccer player I could be and to help the team win championships.” said Lloyd.

“Every single day I stepped out onto the field, I played as if it was my last game.

"I never wanted to take anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to get to the top, but even harder to stay at the top for so long.”

US Soccer have planned two friendlies for September, and another pair for October in which Lloyd will say her goodbyes.

She was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2015, and The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2016. During a spell at Manchester City, she collected an FA Cup winner's medal in 2017.

More recently, Lloyd was part of the bronze medal-winning United States team at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Such is her longevity at international level, Lloyd has played with more than 100 international teammates.

“We’ve basically been like family over the years,” she said, “The number of days we spend together on the road is more than the time we spend with our own families and significant others.

"We have been able to share some unbelievable moments together on and off the field, and we’ve also shared some heartbreaking moments.

"I’m just thankful for both the highs and lows because that’s what has helped us grow as people, players and as a team.

"I will always be thankful for the friendships I have formed along the way and the fact that I was able to play and compete with the best players in the world.”

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