Aditi Chauhan Retires: India’s First Woman Footballer in Europe Ends Trailblazing 17-Year Career

In a heartfelt announcement that marks the end of a pioneering era, Aditi Chauhan, the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, has officially hung up her gloves after a remarkable 17-year-long career. A symbol of grit and ambition, Aditi leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Indian footballers, especially young girls dreaming of making it big on the global stage.

From Delhi Dreams to West Ham Glory

Aditi’s football story began on the dusty fields of Delhi, where she juggled her education and sporting passion with unmatched determination. While pursuing a B.Com Honours degree at Delhi University, she joined the college football team and later went on an eye-opening exposure trip to New Zealand. That experience became the catalyst for her shift to sports management and a leap of faith toward a career few Indian women dared to explore.

She moved to the United Kingdom to earn her master’s degree in Sports Management from Loughborough University. In 2015, her relentless pursuit paid off when she joined West Ham United Ladies (now West Ham United Women), making history as the first Indian woman to play league football in England.

A Decorated Career at Home and Abroad

While Aditi earned 57 caps for the Indian women’s national team, her impact wasn’t limited to international fixtures. She was a crucial figure in India’s SAFF Women’s Championship victories in 2012, 2016, and 2019. After returning to India in 2018, she joined Gokulam Kerala FC, leading the team to two Indian Women’s League (IWL) titles in 2019–20 and 2021–22 and even a semi-final finish in the AFC Women’s Club Championship.

In her final season (2024–25), she played for Sribhumi FC, helping the newly promoted side secure an impressive third-place finish, while keeping three clean sheets—a fitting swan song for a player of her stature.

Injuries, Infrastructure & the Turning Point

Aditi’s retirement decision was not sudden. She openly discussed how the lack of adequate infrastructure and professional ecosystem in Indian football made it increasingly difficult to continue playing at the highest level. Her second ACL injury, sustained after her final national team appearance in February 2023 against Nepal, further influenced her choice to step away from the pitch.

“It’s been challenging to play while trying to secure my future without the right infrastructure… Lately, the answer to ‘Should I be doing this?’ was, ‘maybe not anymore,’” she told Sportstar.

Building the Future Off the Pitch

Though her time on the field has ended, Aditi’s journey in football is far from over. She plans to focus on She Kicks Football Academy, an initiative she started in 2018 to foster grassroots development in women’s football. The aim is to establish a robust support ecosystem backed by technology, science, and community involvement.

Broadcasting is another avenue Aditi wishes to explore, but for now, coaching will remain on the back burner despite her having completed AFC C Diploma and Goalkeeping Level One licenses.

Advocating for Sustainable Growth in Women’s Football

Aditi is vocal about the need for structured development and stronger leadership in women’s football. She praised young talents like Manisha Kalyan, Soumya Guguloth, and Sangita Basfore, who are pushing Indian football forward.

However, she believes that a balance of youth and experience is vital for the national team’s success. “Youngsters should be able to compete and earn their spot; it shouldn’t be handed out to them,” she emphasized.

Aditi Chauhan Career Overview

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