Legendary Liverpool and Everton striker announces retirement as new role confirmed

Legendary former Liverpool and Everton striker Natasha Dowie has announced her retirement from professional football.

The 35-year-old has called time on a stellar playing career that spanned nearly two decades, and hangs up her boots as Liverpool Women's all-time top goalscorer. Dowie notched 47 goals across two spells with the Reds, also lifting the Women's Super League (WSL) trophy twice during her time at the club.

Dowie, who returned to Liverpool on loan last season, will continue her association with the club by becoming Liverpool FC Women’s Ambassador, a newly created role working closely with the girls ProGame Academy, boys Academy and the LFC Foundation girls’ programmes.

On the decision to retire, Dowie told Liverpoolfc.com: “Reflecting back, I feel really proud of my career and I actually think there's no better way than I would have liked to have ended my career than at Liverpool Football Club.

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"I think having been here on loan last season, it just felt right. I had a couple of opportunities to go abroad again and play, but it was just nice to be home. I haven't been home now for eight years and it just kind of felt right. Nothing excited me as much as staying at Liverpool and at home."

Dowie's journey with Liverpool began in November 2012 when she arrived from local rivals Everton, where she had already written her name into the history books by scoring a 119th minute extra-time winner to give the Blues a 3–2 victory over Arsenal in the 2010 FA Women's Cup Final.

Her goals helped fire Matt Beard's side to top-flight crowns in 2013 and 2014,