Jess Fishlock has retired from professional football following Seattle Reign's 1-0 defeat by Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) play-off quarter-finals.

The 39-year-old was substituted in the 75th minute, bringing a career that began at Cardiff City in 2002 and spanned more than two decades to an end.

Fishlock announced in April that she would retire at the end of the 2026 season. Her final appearance brought an extraordinary journey through women's football to a close, leaving a lasting legacy at both club and international level.

How Jess Fishlock became a Seattle Reign legend

Fishlock joined Seattle Reign ahead of the NWSL's inaugural 2013 season and remained with the club for all 14 of its seasons.

She became the last remaining player from Seattle's inaugural 2013 squad, following Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Barnes into retirement and bringing an important chapter in the club's history to a close.

During her time in Seattle, she won three NWSL Shields and finished as the club's all-time leading scorer with 52 regular-season goals.

Her influence extended beyond the pitch, with her leadership and community involvement making her one of the most respected figures in the club's history.

Reign recognised her influence by presenting her with the 2026 Lu Barnes Award, which honours a player who demonstrates excellence on the pitch, leadership and a commitment to the community. The club also described her as one of the most iconic figures in its history.

Her retirement also marks the end of a connection to the NWSL's earliest years. Having been part of the competition since its launch, Fishlock helped establish Seattle as one of its most recognisable clubs.

Jess Fishlock's record-breaking legacy with Wales and her coaching future

Fishlock's international achievements provide another measure of her importance to Welsh football. She finished her Wales career with 166 appearances and 48 goals, both national records across the men's and women's teams.

She became the first Welsh footballer, male or female, to reach 100 international caps in 2017 before passing the 150-appearance milestone in 2024.

As reported by BBC Sport, her 48th goal, against Kosovo, took her beyond Helen Ward as Wales' leading scorer.

Having helped Wales qualify for Euro 2025, Fishlock finally experienced a major international tournament after years of waiting, before announcing her retirement from international football in October that year.

She scored Wales' first-ever goal at a major women's tournament during their 4-1 defeat to France, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Women's EURO history at 38 years and 176 days.

Her involvement with the national team has already continued beyond her international playing career, with Fishlock taking on a technical assistant role in Wales' coaching set-up.

Fishlock is expected to return to Wales' coaching staff if the team reaches the December World Cup play-off final, giving her another opportunity to pass on her experience to the next generation.

After Seattle's defeat, Fishlock reflected on what the club and her teammates had meant to her throughout her career.

"I've just loved it, and the truth is I've loved that my last year was with this group. Because they have just given me so much, not just on the field but off the field," she said.

Fishlock leaves the game with three NWSL Shields, Seattle's goalscoring record and Wales' appearance and goalscoring records, securing her place among the country's greatest sporting figures.