Football Ferns legend Abby Erceg has retired from international football to focus on her club career.

A trailblazer for the game in Aotearoa New Zealand, Erceg was the first New Zealand footballer (female or male) to reach 100 A-international caps. She debuted as a 17-year-old for the Ford Football Ferns and retires as Aotearoa New Zealand’s third-highest appearance maker, with 146 caps and six goals. 

She captained the Ferns from 2014 to 2017, wearing the armband 49 times (a New Zealand record), and has represented New Zealand at four FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympic Games.

She has a distinguished club career, captaining the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL since 2016 (when the team was known as the New York Flash). She was named 2018 NWSL defender of the year, and named in the 2018 NWSL 1st XI. On her return to the 2019 NWSL after the World Cup, Erceg captained the North Carolina Courage to their second consecutive NWSL Shield and Championship double, continuing the club’s formidable run.

“We respect Abby’s decision to step away from the national team set up and focus on her club career,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.

“Abby has been an important part of the Ferns journey and her legacy in the game here is indescribable. We wish her all the best for the future.”


Article added: Tuesday 17 January 2023