Sports
Former Arsenal and Scotland defender Beattie retires
Former Scotland defender Jen Beattie has announced her retirement after a successful 16-year career.
The 33-year-old ends her time at United States club Bay FC having previously spent nine years at Arsenal across two spells, making 166 appearances.
Beattie, who retired from international football in 2022, scored 24 goals in 143 games for Scotland and played at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
She says the “timing felt right” to retire, and hopes to do more broadcasting, having worked with BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
“I’m nervous, I’m excited and all the things, but I’m ready for what’s next,” she added.
“To be honest, I think it’s probably been on my mind for a couple of years now. It’s probably been on my mind even before I retired from Scotland.
“Since I’ve been doing the broadcasting a little bit more I’ve just had so much enjoyment from it.
“Leaving Arsenal at any point was always going to be hard. So it’s been on my mind for a while. Not being at my best anymore, I just felt like it was the right time.”
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