Northern Ireland Record Scorer Rachel Furness Retires from Football

Rachel Furness, Northern Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer with 38 international goals and 95 caps, has announced her retirement from football after a distinguished career spanning over 23 years. She played for numerous clubs including Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Bristol City, and Newcastle United, where she recently completed a second spell and made 18 appearances in the 2024/25 season. Furness was instrumental in Northern Ireland's historic qualification for Euro 2022, notably scoring in the play-off first leg against Ukraine despite a broken leg, and providing an assist during the tournament. Off the pitch, she was an advocate for mental health awareness, openly discussing her struggles to inspire others. Her commitment and resilience have made her one of Northern Ireland's most impactful players, both on and off the field. Furness expressed deep affection for Newcastle, calling her return to the club a dream come true and promising the city and fans would always have her heart.