KELLY SMITH was England’s Women’s all-time leading scorer when she retired from her international duties.
The football legend is best known for her multiple stints at Arsenal but has also played in America.
Kelly Smith is a former football player who played for Arsenal and England
Who is former Arsenal and England player Kelly Smith?
Kelly Smith is a footballer who played for Arsenal and England‘s national team.
She was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, on October 29, 1978.
Smith began her professional career with Wembley Ladies in 1996 and moved to Arsenal two years later.
In 1999 she left the Gunners for America, where she played for the New Jersey Lady Stallions, Philadelphia Charge and New Jersey Wildcats over an eight year period.
After returning to Arsenal in 2005, Smith netted an incredible 73 goals in 66 games before she headed back to the States to play for the Boston Breakers.
Kelly then returned to Arsenal for five more years from 2012 until 2017.
Over her three spells at Arsenal, Smith won a total of 20 trophies and scored 30 goals in 34 games across all four competitions during their quadruple-winning 2006–07 season.
The striker was shortlisted for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award four times and won the FA Player of the Year award twice.
Her honours include four Premier League titles, a UEFA Women’s Cup and five FA Cups.
In 2008, Smith was awarded an MBE for her services to women’s football.
Kelly married her partner DeAnna Dobosz on Hampstead Heath in June 2016.
She gave birth to a son named Rocco Jude in May 2017 and in 2019 the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter.
Kelly joined the Arsenal Women’s first-team coaching setup in April 2023.
She has also worked as a presenter for Sky Sports.
How long did Kelly Smith play for England?
Kelly played for England for 20 years.
She made her debut for the team in November 1995, just three days after she turned 17.
During her two-decade career she earned 117 caps.
Kelly also represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.
When did Kelly Smith retire from football?
Kelly retired from international duty in 2015 after a twenty-year career.
She continued to play for Arsenal, where she had also taken up a part-time coaching role, and retired fully in 2017.
When announcing her retirement in 2015, Kelly said: “I’ve been deliberating about this decision for months, it was doing my head in and I’ve felt in no-man’s land.
“I’ve just felt so tired as it’s been an emotional roller coaster.”
She added: “It’s sad my international career has come to an end but the time is right.
“I’m at peace with my decision.”