Reign's last club original, Jess Fishlock, announces she's retiring
Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock is retiring at the conclusion of the 2026 season, the team announced Tuesday.
The Welsh international is the last of the club originals to plan her departure from the NWSL. The Reign's inaugural roster featured a trio of some of soccer's best with winger Megan Rapinoe retiring in 2023, defender Lu Barnes last season and now Fishlock.
The timing is significant to the co-captain. The club celebrated the 13th anniversary of its first match last week (April 14) and April 21 marks the 13th anniversary of Fishlock's first NWSL goal.
"It's hard to put into words what Seattle and this club mean to me," Fishlock said in a news release. "This is where I've grown, where I've fought, where I've experienced some of the best moments of my career. We've built something that goes far beyond football, and I'm so proud to have been a part of it from day one. I'll never take for granted the people, the fans and the city that have supported me through it all, and I'm going to give everything I have in this final season."
By playing one more season than Barnes, Fishlock is the longest tenured player in the NWSL's 14-year history. The league doesn't count its 2020 matches as a season because of the partial shutdown at the onset of the COVID pandemic.
The "OGs," with Laura Harvey as coach, won three NWSL Shields (2014, 2015, 2022). Fishlock is the Reign's all-time leader in assists (30), is second to Barnes in league appearances (219), and ranks third in total NWSL starts (205) and minutes played (17,785).
"Jess represents everything this club stands for," Reign general manager Lesle Gallimore said in a news release. "Her loyalty, her passion and her relentless drive have helped shape Reign FC into what it is today. She's not only one of the best players in NWSL history, but one of the most influential figures our game has seen. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has given to this club and this community."
Fishlock, 39, retired her pioneering international career last year. She's captained the Cymru since 2012 and is her country's all-time leader - regardless of gender - in caps (166) and goals (48).
With her running the midfield, Wales reached its first UEFA Women's EURO last year. Fittingly, Fishlock scored the Cymru's debut goal in the competition.
The Reign's formal retirement party for Fishlock will be Oct. 2 against the North Carolina Courage at Lumen Field. Her final regular-season match will be Nov. 1 against the Orlando Pride at Lumen.
The league is resuming play this weekend after a FIFA women's international break. The Reign (3-1-1) will host the Utah Royals FC (2-2-1) on Sunday at Lumen. It's their first home match in the stadium this season because of the facility undergoing renovations for the men's World Cup this summer, including installing a grass field.
This story will be updated
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