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Aditi Chauhan, the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, has retired after a 17-year career.
Former Indian footballer Aditi Chauhan (Instagram)
A decade after becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, Aditi Chauhan has announced her retirement from the game, concluding a 17-year career.
The former India women’s team goalkeeper, now 32, aims to work off the pitch to create a “stronger pathway and ecosystem” for future players.
“Thank you, football — for shaping me, testing me, and carrying me through. After 17 unforgettable years, I’m retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride,” Aditi shared in a social media post on Thursday.
“This game gave me more than just a career; it gave me an identity. From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master’s in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map.
“I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined me,” she added.
During her successful international career, Aditi caught attention after signing with West Ham United for the Women’s Super League in England. She represented India 57 times and was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2012, 2016, and 2019.
“I gave everything to the game — my focus, my fire, my body — all in pursuit of that No. 1 jersey for India. But behind the highlights were the quiet battles: the fear of the unknown, the pressure to justify that my path was valid, and the persistent question from society – ‘How would you possibly make a living playing football?’
“And then, the injuries. Coming back not once, but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I set an example for other players that one could overcome anything with mental courage. The pain, the doubt, the silence – it was a battle I had to win from within.”
She spent two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in early 2018 and joined Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women’s League.
At the domestic level, Aditi won the Indian Women’s League (IWL) title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22, reached the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Club Championship, and secured a third-place finish.
“What I’m most proud of as a professional athlete is the consistency. Across 17 years, I kept coming back — through setbacks, through injuries, through every doubt — and earned the No. 1 spot time and again.”
“My parents stood by me, picked me up when I needed, pushed me when I slacked a bit. Everything that I am, the things I’ve been able to achieve have been possible because of my mom, who’s quietly just ridden this crazy ride with me and I can’t thank god enough for giving her as my mom.”
In her final season, she played a key role for the newly-promoted Sribhumi FC, helping the Kolkata-based side to a third-place finish in the IWL.
What’s Next For Aditi Chauhan?
As she steps away from the pitch, Aditi said she still has “plenty left in the tank to give to the sport” that made her the person she is today.
“As I now step into life beyond the pitch, I carry that belief with me – not as a player anymore, but as someone committed to building a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation.
“My second half is about giving back to the game that gave me everything,” Aditi wrote.
“The formula remains the same: dream big, believe in yourself, and put in the work,” she signed off.
(With inputs from PTI)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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