Loren Dykes retires from professional football
Loren Dykes of Wales at Full Time. Wales v Northern Ireland Women's UEFA EURO Qualifier at Rodney Parade. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales stalwart Loren Dykes has announced her retirement from professional football.
Dykes, who made 105 appearances for Wales, is to prioritise coaching as she studies for her UEFA A Licence.
The 33-year-old moved into the assistant coach role at Bristol City Women last summer but was also announced as a signing for FA Women’s National League side Cardiff City Ladies.
Announcing her retirement in an official statement, Dykes said: “I have decided that now is the right time to announce my official retirement from football. It has been in the pipeline for quite some time as I have slowly made the transition from player to coach over these past few months.
“I want to fully focus my energy on my development as a coach, with responsibilities at both club and youth national level as I work towards the completion of my UEFA A coaching licence.
She added: “Playing for my country has been the greatest honour I could have ever wished for and has given me memories that I will cherish for life. I now look forward to helping to continue the growth of the game in Wales and help inspire future players in a coaching capacity.
“I would like to thank my family, teammates, coaches and staff for everything they have done for me; none of this would have been possible without them. I now look forward to what the future holds.”
She started her playing career with Pontardawe Town before playing for Llanelli Reds, Cardiff Met and then Cardiff City Ladies. During her time at Cardiff Met, she represented the Welsh Universities team.
In 2008, she earned a move to Bristol City Women, where she became a captain.
She made two Women’s FA Cup final appearances with the Women’s Super League side and also played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
