Sophie Istillart retires from football

Athletic Club Women footballer Sophie Istillart has decided to retire from football at the end of this season. The 26-year-old from the Northern Basque Country has taken this decision while recovering from an injury to her right knee.

Istillart ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament on January 16 in a match against Levante UD. Sophie underwent surgery on March 2 and the rehabilitation process is going smoothly. On Tuesday morning, Sophie will attend a press conference at Lezama to explain why she is calling time on her career.

Sophie Istillart arrived at Athletic from Girondins Bordeaux in the summer of 2020, making her debut under Ángel Villacampa in the Copa de la Reina semi-final against EDF Logroño at Las Gaunas on October 7, 2020. A native of Bayonne, she is the first woman from the Northern Basque Country to play for Athletic. Sophie made a total of 43 official appearances for Athletic Club.

An industrious, intense and committed central midfielder, Istillart began her career in Hendaye and played for Marino de Irun, Lebenne and Blanquefort before making the leap to the French First Division with Girondins de Bordeaux in 2015, where she spent five seasons (2015-2020) and became captain.

Athletic Club thanks Sophie for her dedication and commitment and wishes her the best of luck in her future endeavours, both personal and professional.

Thank you for everything, Sophie! Merci pour tout!