Glasgow City can confirm that Scotland international Fiona Brown will retire from football at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The 30-year-old forward – who rejoined City for her second spell in 2024 – feels the time is right for her to call time on her playing career following a serious knee injury picked up last year.
Fiona ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a Scottish Women’s Premier League match against Rangers last April – the fourth of her career.
The recovery and rehabilitation for the injury she sustained in 2024 has gone well and Brown hopes to make a final City appearance before the end of the current campaign with both the SWPL title and Scottish Cup still to play for.
Upon announcing her plans to retire, Fiona said: “The risk is that I could easily get injured again and with my body type and history, I can’t afford to do that as there is not much more that could be done.”
She continued: “I’m happy that I was here [when the injury happened] because I was at home with my friends, family and boyfriend and I was able to have such a laugh with the people I was with every day.
“They have picked me up when I needed it. We’ve made light of a lot of situations which has been a saving grace for me. Those girls are a lot of my best friends and that is outwith football, as well.
‘’If you had told me when I was younger what I would achieve despite everything that has happened I would be genuinely chuffed.
''To all the teammates, coaches, staff and fans I have spent my time with throughout my career, from my time as young player breaking through, to playing with Glasgow City, in Sweden and with the Scotland national team thank you for your support, you have all been a part of my journey.’’
Chief Executive Laura Montgomery added: “If I was to pick an ideal player to play for our club, I would want someone who respects others, believes in and lives our values, lights up a room with their personality, encourages others at all times and energises the group.
"They would be professional on and off the pitch, a winner, resilient, an incredible talent, two footed, fast, scores goals and big important goals at that when the pressure is on. Someone who checks in on her team mates to ensure they are ok, an international footballer, proud to represent her country and play at major international tournaments. Someone who always appreciates and always says thank you. I would pick Fiona Brown.
"What Fiona has achieved in her career is remarkable. Add the backdrop of her horrendous injuries and it is even more unbelievable. Fiona's retirement is an emotional time for us all. It feels far too soon to see this brilliant player and person step back from playing, but we all understand why and know she has reached the right decision for her health and wellbeing. I am incredibly honoured we have had Fiona play for and represent our club. On behalf of all of us Fi, thank you."
An impressive career started aged 14 at Celtic, before Fiona joined City for her first spell with us back in late 2013. She spent two years with us winning three Scottish Women’s Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups as well as helping the club to achieve a first-ever appearance in the Champions League Quarter-Finals, including the scoring of a crucial goal away to FC Zurich in the Last 16.
A move to Sweden beckoned in December 2016 and it was in Scandanavia where Brown has spent the majority of her career, first playing with Eskilstuna United DFF, before moving to FC Rosengård.
The forward spent six years with the Malmö based club winning three Damallsvenskan league titles and two Swedish Women’s Cups.
After those impressive successes in Sweden, the Dunblane-native returned home to Scotland re-signing for City in December 2024 making an immediate impact, scoring in a 1-0 victory over Celtic in her first start since returning to Petershill Park.
It was not just at club level that Brown has found success having represented the Scottish national team on 61 occasions. Her debut came in 2014 in a win against Northern Ireland, with her final appearance being in last year’s victory over Slovakia.
She also represented her country at both major tournaments Scotland have appeared at; the 2017 UEFA European Championships and the 2019 FIFA World Cup.
Everybody at Glasgow City wants to thank Fiona for all her contributions to the club, not just as a talented player on the pitch but also as a teammate, colleague and friend away from it.
Fiona remains a part of our playing squad and will be involved until the end of the current campaign with preparations continuing for Saturday’s upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final against Motherwell and the Scottish Women’s Premier League run-in.
Whatever comes next after we are excited to continue to see Fi flourish.
Once City, always City.