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Former Chelsea and England striker Eniola Aluko has brought the curtain down on a glittering playing career.

Eni made her announcement writing in The Players' Tribune, and followed up with a short message on Twitter saying: "Thank you football for everything you've given and taught me. Thanks for the full circle moments and crazy unexpected journey.":

The 32-year-old left Juventus in December after nearly 18 months with the Serie A champions and it was widely expected that she would return to the Women's Super League.

However, England's joint-10th most capped international, who scored 33 goals in 102 senior appearances, decided it was time to hang up her boots.

There were times during her career she had thought about quitting as a footballer, saying: "I have to be honest about that [leaving football]. I’m talking about the racism, the abuse on social media, all that. Women do not earn much in football, we play because we love the game. Sometimes I have thought, Is it worth it? Do I love you enough? And every time the answer has been yes."

And supporters of women's football the world over were delighted that she never did walk away until it was the right time for Eni, on her own terms.

"I feel people respect me for the player I have been and the goals I have scored, but also for the way in which I have helped move the women’s game forward," she said.

"Girls today have role models. They can watch women play football on TV. Diversity and equality are on the agenda. Women are using their voices and their feet to break barriers all over the world. I would say that women have never been in a more empowered position, and I am proud to have been part of the generation that has made that happen.

"But I don’t want to stop now."

Aluko had joined Juventus in June 2018 following a six-year stint at Chelsea, her second spell with the Blues. She helped Juve retain their league title and Italian Supercoppa last term, having also won the Coppa Italia earlier in 2019.

It was during her time at Chelsea, however, that Eni really made her mark on the domestic scene, helping the team to two Women's Super League titles and two FA Cup victories - a competition she also won with Birmingham City in 2012.

During her spell in Amercia, Eni played for Women's Professional Soccer clubs St Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat and Sky Blue FC between 2009 and 2011.

She also played for Charlton between her first spells with Birmingham City and Chelsea.

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