Ford Football Fern #154 Hannah Wilkinson has announced her retirement from football after representing Aotearoa for 14 years, earning 125 caps and scoring 32 goals for the senior side.

An icon of the game in New Zealand, she is known for her historic FIFA Women’s World Cup goal against Norway at Eden Park, which secured New Zealand’s first-ever win at a senior FIFA World Cup.

Wilkinson featured in four FIFA Women’s World Cup campaigns (2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023) and three Olympic campaigns (2012, 2016, and 2020), most notably scoring a 94th-minute equaliser against Mexico in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as the iconic moment in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Eden Park.

Her debut for the Football Ferns came in 2010 against Australia, and she went on to become the sixth-equal all-time appearance holder for the Football Ferns with 125 caps. Her 100th cap was achieved during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics against Sweden.

Born in Whangarei, her football journey in Aotearoa began at Kamo Football Club in Northland before she moved to Auckland to join Glenfield Rovers. She studied and played for the University of Tennessee between 2012 and 2016. Her first professional contract was with Vittsjö GIK in Sweden’s top flight. Wilkinson’s professional career took her through Sweden, Portugal with Sporting CP, and Germany with MSV Duisburg, before she headed to Australia to play for Melbourne City FC.

After joining Melbourne City in 2021, Wilkinson became the club's all-time leading goalscorer, leaving with 30 goals from 51 appearances. She was also named as part of the A-Leagues All-Stars team last season to play against Arsenal.

In October 2024, Wilkinson announced her retirement from football.

“It is with some sadness, but with great clarity and relief, to announce my retirement from the beautiful game,” Wilkinson wrote via Instagram.

“It’s not exactly the way I wanted to go out. I expected to wear the Fern for the final time at the Olympic Games in Paris, hoping to help redeem our disappointing early Women’s World Cup exit last year. 

“In professional sport, there is only so much you can control. An opinion, sometimes without rational explanation, happens.

“That opinion doesn’t define me. I did let it for a little bit. That was a dark space. However, with time, I recognized what a fallacy that is. 14 years representing Aotearoa, 3 Olympic Games, 4 World Cups, and playing careers in the US, Sweden, Portugal, Germany and Australia. So many goals with so many celebrations. Medals, trophies, achievements, personal and team. That is what defines me.

“Football shaped me into everything that I am, and gave me more opportunity, and more connections, than I could ever dream of. Thank you, football, thank you to coaches who developed me and saw me, and an even bigger thank you to all my support over the years. I gave it everything, and it was an epic ride.

“I am so excited for the next stage. The boots are hung up, but the canvases, the walls, are out and ready. I’ve never felt more alive in my creative space, and I’m so amped to see what manifests.”

Long-time Football Ferns teammate and NZF Women’s Development Manager Annalie Longo expressed the impact Wilkinson has had on the game in Aotearoa, saying:

“I’ve played with Wilky for nearly 15 years, and she has always given everything for the Ferns over a brilliant career.

“Her goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year created one of the most historic moments in New Zealand football history, and there is no doubt that the win over Norway inspired young girls across the country to play the game.

“She has made an impact on and off the pitch, and it’s amazing to see her mural at Eden Park commemorating the three women’s World Cups held in New Zealand.

“We look forward to celebrating her career and achievements the next time the Ferns play at home and giving her the send-off she deserves.”

Article added: Friday 18 October 2024