Saturday’s home match with Brighton and Hove Albion will not just mark the end of West Ham United’s first ever season in the Women’s Super League; it will also signal the finale for Lucienne Reichardt.
The midfielder has made the tough decision that the league clash at Rush Green Stadium will be her final as a professional footballer, with Reichardt retiring at the end of the campaign.
“I have made the decision to retire at the end of the season,” Reichardt told whufc.com. “It hasn’t been an easy decision to make. It was one that I had to think about a lot and it was made harder by the fact that I have genuinely loved and enjoyed my time with West Ham.
It hasn’t been an easy decision to make. It was one that I had to think about a lot and it was made harder by the fact that I have genuinely loved and enjoyed my time with West Ham.
Lucienne Reichardt
“I’m 28 now and I’ve had to think about my career after football. I have been given the opportunity to take a job as a psychologist that starts this summer back in the Netherlands. For me, it is a big opportunity and I spoke a lot with my family about it.
“Taking everything into consideration, I believe this is a big chance for me and the best decision I can make at this point in my life.”
Having joined West Ham from Ajax last summer, Reichardt has made 20 appearances for the Irons in all competitions, including 11 in the FA WSL.
A three-time Eredivisie winner, the midfielder won the Dutch top flight title twice with her childhood club and also collected the championship with ADO Den Haag in 2012.
With football set to be in Reichardt’s rear-view mirror following this weekend’s match, the Dutch player says that she will be a West Ham fan for the rest of her life after her season with the Irons.
“I’m so proud of the titles I’ve won in my career and the finals I have reached,” Reichardt reflected. “I am proud to say I’ve played for and against the best teams in the countries I’ve played in, such as Saturday’s FA Cup Final.
“I’m definitely a West Ham fan for life. This is my team in England. I will miss everyone here and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made my time with West Ham so enjoyable.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Lucienne on her fantastic achievements in football and wish her all the best with the next step in her career.