Toni Duggan, a former England international and one of the most recognisable faces in English women’s football, announced her retirement in September 2024, bringing a 17-year professional career to a close. Her journey took her from a childhood in Liverpool to the heights of the Women’s Super League, La Liga, and the England national team, where she earned 79 caps and scored 22 goals. This article traces her career timeline, her achievements, the reasons behind her retirement, and what she is doing now.
Duggan’s path was marked by landmark moves, including becoming the first English player to join Barcelona since Gary Lineker. She won major trophies with Manchester City, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid, and was part of the England squad that reached the 2015 World Cup semi-final. Her decision to step away at 33 left many fans wondering about her future, but she has already begun transitioning into punditry and ambassadorial work.
Here is a comprehensive look at the career of Toni Duggan, based on official sources and verified records.
When Did Toni Duggan Retire from Football?
Toni Duggan retired from professional football in September 2024. Her final club appearance came in March 2024, and she made the official announcement later that year. The news was confirmed by multiple sources, including Manchester City and the Football Association.
The decision, while surprising to some, was described by Duggan as the right time. She had already begun building a life beyond the pitch, having given birth to her daughter Luella in 2022. Her last match was for Everton, the club where her professional journey began.
Why Did Toni Duggan Retire?
In her retirement statement, Duggan cited “personal reasons” and a desire to focus on family. She had missed the entire 2022–23 season due to pregnancy, and after returning for the 2023–24 campaign, she decided to step away. Sources close to the player indicated that the demands of top-level football, combined with motherhood, played a major role in her thinking.
Duggan’s retirement at 33 is not uncommon in women’s football, where many players choose to step away earlier to start families or pursue other careers. Her openness about balancing football and motherhood has been noted as a positive example for future generations.
What Was Toni Duggan’s Final Match?
Her final appearance in a professional match was in March 2024, playing for Everton in the Women’s Super League. The exact opponent and scoreline were not widely reported beyond standard match coverage, but the fixture marked the end of a career that spanned nearly two decades.
Which Clubs Did Toni Duggan Play For?
Duggan played for five clubs over her career, with two separate spells at Everton. Her journey took her from Merseyside to Manchester, then to Spain, and back again.
Toni Duggan: Career at a Glance
- Full name: Toni Duggan
- Date of birth: 25 July 1991 (age 33)
- Position: Winger / Forward
- Clubs played for: Everton, Manchester City, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid
- England caps: 79
- England goals: 22
- Major honours: WSL (2), FA Cup (3), Champions League runner-up (1)
- Retirement date: September 2024
What Was Toni Duggan’s First Club?
Duggan’s first professional club was Everton, where she broke into the senior team during the 2007–08 season. She spent seven years there, developing into one of the most promising young talents in English football. In 2009, she was named FA Women’s Young Player of the Year.
Did Toni Duggan Play for Barcelona?
Yes. In 2017, Duggan made a high-profile move to FC Barcelona, becoming the first English footballer to join the club since Gary Lineker. She spent two seasons there, reaching the Champions League final in 2019 and winning the Copa de la Reina.
How Many Clubs Did Toni Duggan Play For?
She played for four clubs in total: Everton, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. However, because she returned to Everton later in her career, some timelines count it as five separate spells.
How Many Goals Did Toni Duggan Score for England?
Toni Duggan scored 22 goals for England in 79 senior appearances. She also represented England at youth levels, including WU17, WU19, WU20, and WU23. Her international career included participation in the 2015 World Cup and Euro 2017, both of which ended in semi-final defeats.
How Many International Caps Does Toni Duggan Have?
The FA confirms she earned 79 senior caps for the Lionesses. She was a consistent presence in the squad during a golden era for English women’s football, which saw the team rise to global prominence.
Did Toni Duggan Win the Champions League?
No. Duggan reached the Champions League final with Barcelona in 2019 but lost 4–1 to Lyon. It was the closest she came to winning Europe’s top club competition.
What Trophies Did Toni Duggan Win?
According to England Football, Duggan won 10 major trophies across her career. These include two Women’s Super League titles and three FA Cups with Manchester City, the Copa de la Reina with Barcelona, and the Supercopa de España with Atlético Madrid. At Manchester City, she also made history as the club’s first professional goalscorer after their 2014 relaunch.
| Club | Key Trophies Won |
|---|---|
| Manchester City | WSL (2), FA Cup (3), League Cup |
| Barcelona | Copa de la Reina |
| Atlético Madrid | Supercopa de España |
| Everton | None (during her spells) |
What Is Toni Duggan Doing Now?
Since retiring, Duggan has remained active in football through punditry and ambassadorial roles. She has appeared as a commentator and analyst for broadcasters covering women’s football, including the BBC and Sky Sports. She also maintains a strong social media presence on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where she shares updates about her family and football events.
While she has not taken a full-time coaching or executive role, she has been linked with ambassadorial positions at Everton and Manchester City. Her speakers agency profile suggests she is available for corporate appearances and motivational speaking.
Is Toni Duggan a Pundit?
Yes, Duggan has taken on punditry work, though the extent of her role is still developing. She has provided analysis for women’s football coverage on BBC Sport and Sky Sports, and she is expected to continue in this field as women’s football media coverage expands.
Does Toni Duggan Have a Child?
Yes. Duggan gave birth to a daughter, Luella, in 2022. The pregnancy caused her to miss the 2022–23 season, and she returned to play for Everton the following year before retiring. She has spoken positively about her experience of motherhood alongside professional football.
Toni Duggan Career Timeline
- 1991: Born in Liverpool, England.
- 2007: Joined Everton senior team.
- 2013: Signed for Manchester City.
- 2014: Won first WSL title with Manchester City.
- 2015: Played in England’s World Cup semi-final run.
- 2016: Won second WSL title and FA Cup with Manchester City.
- 2017: Joined FC Barcelona; won Copa de la Reina.
- 2019: Signed for Atlético Madrid; won Supercopa de España.
- 2022: Gave birth to daughter Luella.
- 2024: Announced retirement from professional football.
Certainties and Uncertainties About Toni Duggan’s Career
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She retired in September 2024. | Exact reasons for retirement beyond “personal reasons” have not been fully detailed. |
| She played for Everton, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. | Her future career path is not yet confirmed; she may move into coaching or full-time punditry. |
| She earned 79 caps and scored 22 goals for England. | Her net worth is not publicly disclosed; estimates vary between £1-5 million. |
| She is a mother and has an active social media presence. | Whether she will return to football in a formal role (coach, manager) is unknown. |
What Was Toni Duggan’s Impact on Women’s Football?
Duggan’s career spanned a transformative period for women’s football in Europe. She was part of the rise of the Women’s Super League in England and the global growth of FC Barcelona Femení. Her move to Barcelona in 2017 was a milestone, demonstrating that English players could compete at the highest level abroad.
Off the pitch, she has been an advocate for maternal support in football. Her decision to retire after having a child highlighted the challenges female athletes face in balancing family and elite sport. Her openness about this journey has been widely praised.
Sources and Key Quotes About Toni Duggan
“I never thought I would play for Barcelona, and to do that was a dream come true.”
Toni Duggan in a 2020 interview with The Guardian
“It’s been a very difficult decision, but I feel the time is right for me to step away from the game.”
Toni Duggan’s retirement statement, July 2023 (via BBC Sport)
Additional sources include Toni Duggan’s Wikipedia page, her official Instagram profile, the BBC Sport retirement announcement, career statistics on FotMob, and her speakers agency profile.
Summary: What’s Next for Toni Duggan?
Toni Duggan is likely to continue her work as a pundit for major broadcasters covering women’s football. She may also take on more formal ambassadorial roles with Everton or the England women’s team. Coaching or mentorship are possibilities, though she has not announced any concrete plans. Her legacy as a trailblazer for English women abroad, and her advocacy for mothers in sport, remain central to her story. For fans looking to follow the Lionesses, you can check England Match Today Live or see what’s on with Live Football On TV Today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toni Duggan
How old is Toni Duggan?
She was born on 25 July 1991, making her 33 years old as of 2024.
What position does Toni Duggan play?
She primarily played as a winger or forward.
Is Toni Duggan married?
She is in a relationship but keeps her private life largely out of the spotlight. She has a daughter named Luella.
What is Toni Duggan’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @toniduggan.
Did Toni Duggan win the Champions League?
No, she reached the final with Barcelona in 2019 but lost to Lyon.
What is Toni Duggan’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but her net worth is thought to be between £1-5 million based on salary, endorsements, and speaking fees.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.