Aston Villa ace and former England centre-back Asante to retire at the end of the season after a 19-year career

ANITA ASANTE has called time on her playing career announcing her intention to hang up her boots at the end of this season.

The Aston Villa and ex-Arsenal star, who has 71 senior England caps and turns 37 this week, this morning revealed her plans to retire.

ReutersAnita Asante will retire after playing her final WSL game for Aston Villa when they face Birmingham[/caption]

GettyFormer Gunner Asante, 36, helped Vic Akers’ Arsenal side to a quadruple silverware win in 2007[/caption]

The decision will see the London-born central defender bring the curtain down on a career that has seen her play at the highest levels of football in England, the United States and Sweden.

The WSL ace has spent the past two years playing for Villa, who are ninth in the top tier and play Arsenal this weekend.

And on Sunday the centre-back helped the club share the spoils of a hard-fought draw with Manchester United following a standout shift in defence.

Asante, 36, told Villa’s website: “The last two seasons with Villa have been a great experience, and to be part of supporting the next generation of players.

“It’s great to have a historic and massive club like Villa in the Midlands and it has a very ambitious future.

“I know they will inspire many young girls to play football and enjoy the highs of the game that I have been so fortunate to experience.”

Asante began her playing career in Arsenal’s youth team before making her debut in their senior side in the 2003-04 season.

The WSL heroine was part of the trailblazing Gunners team that became the first English club to win the Women’s Champions League in 2007.

And the defender helped the club to win the quadruple in the 2006-2007 season winning the FA Cup, a Women’s Premier League title and the league cup as well as a European trophy.

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Aside from Arsenal, Asante’s career has seen her play for Chelsea from 2008 to 2009, before spending two years in the United States representing Sky Blue FC, Chicago Red Stars, Saint Louis Athletica and Washington Freedom.

The central defender later moved to Sweden in 2012 where she played for Goteburg for one term before a switch to FC Rosengard.

With the latter club, she won two league titles, a Swedish Cup and two Swedish Super trophies before returning to the Blues in 2018 and then moving to Villa in 2020.

Asante told BBC Sport of her hopes to one day manage the club where her career in the top tier began.

PAAsante has made 19 top-flight appearances for Aston Villa this term[/caption]

The Villa star said: “Lots of people see me on their screens doing media stuff, punditry and, and things for the WSL and I hope to continue to do that as well.

“But ultimately, my dream is to one day manage my childhood club.

“It would be a great thing to one day get there and be coaching Arsenal.”

On the international stage, Asante played for England more than 70 times and was part of the Lionesses side managed by Hope Powell that reached the Euros 2009 final.

She also helped Team GB women’s team reach the quarter-finals of the London 2012 Olympics football tournament.

A number of Asante’s former international colleagues paid tribute to the player who is a champion of several causes off the pitch including Show Racism the Red Card, Goals for Girls and Amnesty International.

Getty Images – GettyAsante and her Team Great Britain team-mates reached the final eight of the women’s football tournament at the London 2012 Olympics[/caption]

San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney, who with Asante helped England to reach the 2009 Euros final, tweeted: “Huge congratulations on an incredible career.

“It’s been a pleasure to share the pitch with you and to be your team-mate. A fantastic player and incredible human being.”

Villa boss Carla Ward tweeted: “Without doubt one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the women’s game.

“You’ve taught me so much in such a short space of time and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with you in your final year.

“I wish you every bit of success in what’s next.”

And Arsenal Women’s official Twitter account shared a picture of Asante holding the 2007 Women’s Champions League trophy with a caption wishing her all the best for the future.

Aston Villa are set to celebrate Asante’s career prior to kick-off against Birmingham which is their final fixture of the season.

Ahead of the game, Asante said: “I’m really excited about what the future holds.

“I hope to continue to play a positive and impactful part in the growth of the women’s game on the other side of the lines, be it in the media and in club management.”