New Delhi: Aditi Chauhan has announced her retirement from professional football, ending a 17-year career. She was the first woman from India to play football for a European club. The former Indian goalkeeper will look to work off the pitch to create a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation of players.
During her international career, she got the spotlight after signing with West Ham United for the Women’s Super League (WSL) in England. She made 57 appearances for the country and was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2012, 2016, and 2019.
She returned to India in early 2018 after spending two seasons with West Ham and joined Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women’s League (IWL). She won the IWL title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22. Aditi also reached the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Club Championship with Gokulam Kerala FC and secured a third-place finish.
‘I’m retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride’: Aditi Chauhan
Aditi posted a note on a social media and wrote that she’s announcing her retirement from professional after 17 years with deep gratitude and pride. She thanked football for shaping and testing her through tough times, and further wrote that this game gave her more than just a career.
“From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master’s in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map,” Aditi wrote.
The 32-year-old added that she never had to choose between education and passion and fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined her. Aditi also wrote that she will give back to the game that gave her everything and will build a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation.