Newcastle United confirm Georgia Potts’ retirement after pregnancy news | OneFootball

Georgia Potts has confirmed her retirement from professional football. Newcastle United Women announced the defender’s decision after Potts also shared news of her pregnancy, with the 31-year-old stepping away to focus on family life following injury-hit recent seasons.

Potts leaves Newcastle United Women after two spells with the club and 91 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals. She was part of the side that secured back-to-back promotions and helped the Magpies establish themselves in Barclays WSL2.

The defender’s departure is a significant one for Newcastle given her long association with the club and her role during their rise through the pyramid in Women’s Football. It is also the first confirmed senior exit of the close season, with the club now set to reshape its squad ahead of the next campaign.

The announcement was confirmed by the club in an official statement, with further details reported by WSL Full-Time. Potts’ news also arrives at a time when the game is continuing to have more open conversations around player welfare, family life and maternity, themes She Kicks has previously covered in stories such as Missy Bo Kearns speaking about miscarriage.

Potts said in a statement released by Newcastle United:

“The past couple of seasons have been a whirlwind and it’s disappointing that I haven’t been able to perform consistently for the fans at the level I believe I should be playing at.”

She added: “I’m happy with what I’ve achieved at Newcastle, and in my career, so it’s a bit bittersweet. Whenever I played for Newcastle, it always felt like home. I found my football family here, and when we achieved those back-to-back promotions, it was just the best feeling ever.

“I’m really grateful for the club and how much they have helped me. The club really helped me to get back on my feet.

“I’m going to take on another rollercoaster now with motherhood. I’ve always had a close bond with my mam, so it is just going to create a special bond now with the next generation.”

“It always felt like home”

Newcastle United’s statement congratulated Potts on her Pregnancy news and thanked her for her contribution across both spells at the club. Her time on Tyneside spanned some of the most important years in the modern rise of Newcastle United Women, and her experience has been a big part of the group’s development.

Retirements have been a recurring theme across the game in recent months, with defenders in particular stepping away, as seen in She Kicks coverage of Millie Bright’s retirement announcement and Lucy Staniforth’s decision to retire. Potts now joins that list, closing her playing chapter with a strong body of work behind her at club level.

Newcastle now look ahead

Newcastle United Women will now turn to their summer planning without one of their longest-serving figures. Potts’ retirement, confirmed by the club and reported via Newcastle United’s official website, leaves a notable gap in defence as the squad prepares for the new season.