Lucy Hope Retires From Professional Football

Lucy Hope has announced her retirement from professional football and will leave Everton following the expiry of her contract at the end of June.

A former Scotland international, the 29-year-old joined the Club in July 2019 and made a significant impact in royal blue during her time on Merseyside.

A versatile and reliable footballer, Hope operated in a number of positions and roles for the Toffees, scoring important goals and making history with the Blues. Most notably, the Scot’s long-range winner against rivals Liverpool at Anfield in November 2019 and the equaliser at Goodison Park as Everton defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup the following year on their road to Wembley.

Hope and partner Scott welcomed baby Jensen Jordan Hope in to the world in November 2025, with the midfielder taking time away from football during the 25/26 season.

“I have loved my time at Everton,” said Hope. “The Club and city has become my home over the best part of a decade. The biggest thing football gave me was a place that felt like home – somewhere I felt comfortable enough to put roots down. First a dog, then I became a wife to my amazing husband, and now to welcome our son into the family means more to me than any statistic ever could.

“I will always look back at the memories we made with a smile: the derby day wins that brought such joy to our fans, and leading the girls out at Wembley for the FA Cup final, will stay with me forever.

"But, for me, the real memories I will cherish are the ones we made on a daily basis. The laughs and the jokes on long bus journeys, the stories shared around the breakfast table. Getting to know the person inside the player was my favourite part of being in a team.

“I have made friends for life and will miss being around the girls and out on the pitch, I’d like to thank them all, past and present, for sharing this unique journey with me.” 

Before becoming a Blue, Hope made her WSL debut for Bristol City in 2018. After a strong start that saw her net the winner against Brighton in her first league appearance, the midfielder ended the campaign as the Robins’ leading goalscorer with seven league goals and 12 assists across all competitions.

Hope also reached the heights of club football, playing in the UEFA Champions League for Hibernian in her homeland, notching four goals in three matches from her inaugural campaign in the competition.

“To the fans, a special thank you," added Hope. "Your continued support throughout my career has meant more than I could ever properly explain. Hearing the chants, feeling your backing on matchdays and knowing how much you cared always gave me that extra push. Those moments and memories will stay with me forever, and I’ll never take that support for granted.

“I am very proud of what I have achieved at Everton, I have given it my all from the day I arrived and will always be grateful to have lived this dream.”

Everyone at Everton thanks Lucy for her service and commitment to the Club, and wishes her and her family best wishes for the future.