Toni Duggan, the former England forward who spent 17 years at the top of women’s football, announced her retirement in September 2024 at the age of 33. Since stepping away from the game, public curiosity about her personal life has grown, particularly around questions about her partner, her daughter, and the reasons behind her decision to retire. This article separates the confirmed facts from the speculation.
Duggan’s career took her from Everton’s academy to the heights of Barcelona and the England national team. She earned 79 caps, played in two World Cups and two European Championships, and won domestic titles in both England and Spain. Her final appearance came in March 2024 before she officially retired later that year.
Alongside her professional achievements, Duggan became a mother in March 2023 and later made history as the first England player in the Women’s Super League to take maternity leave and return to competitive football. Her retirement statement cited her daughter as a central reason for stepping away.
Is Toni Duggan Married? Who Is Her Partner?
Toni Duggan
25 July 1991 (age 33 at retirement)
September 2024
Daughter Luella (born March 2023)
- Toni Duggan has not publicly named or identified a husband, partner, or the father of her child.
- Her social media presence does not indicate she is currently in a public relationship.
- There is no confirmed information that she is married; all mentions of a husband remain speculative.
- Duggan’s Instagram bio describes her as a “Proud Mum to my Luella,” with no reference to a partner.
- Official sources including Wikipedia, BBC Sport, and England Football do not list a spouse or partner.
- The high volume of search queries about her marital status reflects the absence of public information.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 25 July 1991 |
| Age at Retirement | 33 (September 2024) |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Position | Forward / Winger |
| Major Clubs | Everton, Manchester City, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid |
| England Caps | 79 appearances, 22 goals |
| Retirement | Announced September 2024 |
| Child | Daughter Luella (born March 2023) |
| Partner Status | Not publicly known |
When Did Toni Duggan Retire and Why?
Duggan announced her retirement from professional football in September 2024, bringing a 17-year career to a close. Her final match was in March 2024. The decision, she said, was made easier by the presence of her daughter Luella, whom she described in her retirement statement as a special little girl by my side
.
What Was Her Final Club?
Duggan returned to Everton in 2021 after spells abroad. She had first played for Everton as a teenager, breaking into the first team at 16 in 2007. Her second stint at the club included her return from maternity leave, making her the first England player in the WSL to resume playing after having a child.
Why Did She Step Away?
In her public statement, Duggan said the decision to retire was not difficult because of her daughter. She did not cite injury or loss of form as factors. Instead, she framed the choice as a natural transition into a new phase of life, focusing on motherhood and future opportunities outside playing.
Duggan’s career included major trophies with Manchester City and Barcelona, plus appearances at two World Cups and two European Championships for England. She also won the FA Cup and the Continental Cup with City, and the Copa de la Reina and Liga F with Barcelona.
How Old Is Toni Duggan? Key Biographical Facts
Toni Duggan was born on 25 July 1991 in Liverpool, England. She was 33 when she announced her retirement in September 2024. She stands 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) tall and played primarily as a forward or winger throughout her career.
Where Did She Grow Up?
Duggan is a Liverpool native and began her football journey at a local youth club before joining Everton’s academy. Her connection to the city and to Everton remained strong throughout her career, even after playing for rival clubs like Manchester City and Barcelona.
What Were Her Major Career Milestones?
She debuted for Everton’s first team at 16, moved to Manchester City in 2013, joined Barcelona in 2017, transferred to Atlético Madrid in 2019, and returned to Everton in 2021. Internationally, she made 79 appearances for England, scoring 22 goals and representing her country at the highest levels.
Duggan is recognised as the first England international in the Women’s Super League to take maternity leave and return to competitive football. She gave birth to Luella in March 2023 and later played again for Everton, setting a precedent for professional players in the league.
What Clubs Did Toni Duggan Play For? A Career Timeline
- 1991 – Born in Liverpool, England.
- 2007 – Broke into Everton’s first team at age 16.
- 2013 – Moved to Manchester City.
- 2017 – Signed for Barcelona Femení.
- 2019 – Joined Atlético Madrid Femenino.
- 2021 – Returned to Everton.
- March 2023 – Gave birth to daughter Luella; later returned to action.
- September 2024 – Announced retirement from professional football.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear?
Established information
- Toni Duggan is a former England international with 79 caps and 22 goals.
- She retired in September 2024 after a 17-year career.
- She has one daughter, Luella, born in March 2023.
- She played for Everton, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid.
- She was the first England WSL player to take maternity leave and return to competitive play.
Information that remains unclear
- Whether Duggan is married or has a husband.
- The identity of her partner, if any.
- The name or identity of her daughter’s father.
- Whether she is currently in a romantic relationship.
Why Is There So Much Public Interest in Toni Duggan’s Personal Life?
The high volume of searches about Duggan’s partner and marital status reflects a broader public curiosity about the personal lives of prominent athletes, especially those who step away from the game at a relatively young age. Because Duggan has chosen to keep this area of her life private, the absence of information has led to frequent speculation online.
Her retirement and her role as a mother have generated renewed attention, but official sources — including Wikipedia, BBC Sport, and England Football — have not disclosed partner details. This gap means readers searching for clear answers often encounter unconfirmed rumours rather than verified facts.
The situation presents an opportunity for a clear, factual article that distinguishes confirmed biographical information from what is not publicly known, helping readers understand the limits of available data without making false claims.
What Do Official Sources Say About Toni Duggan?
Toni Duggan (born 25 July 1991) is an English former footballer who played as a forward for Everton, Manchester City, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and the England national team.
— Wikipedia
Proud Mum to my Luella
— Toni Duggan, Instagram bio
Former England forward Toni Duggan announces retirement at 33.
— BBC Sport, retirement announcement, September 2024
Toni Duggan: A Career and Life Overview
Toni Duggan’s career spanned 17 years across four top-tier clubs and the England national team. She won domestic honours in England and Spain, represented her country at two World Cups and two European Championships, and made history as the first England WSL player to return to competitive football after maternity leave. Since retiring in September 2024, she has focused on motherhood and public appearances, while keeping details of her personal life private. For more on British athletes who stepped away from elite sport, see Joe Marler – Biography, Rugby Career, Retirement and Podcast and Carl Froch – Boxing Record, Fights, and Hall of Fame Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Toni Duggan’s net worth?
Not publicly disclosed.
How many goals did Toni Duggan score for England?
22 goals in 79 appearances.
Did Toni Duggan win the Champions League?
Yes, with Barcelona in 2018.
What is Toni Duggan doing now?
She retired in September 2024 and has since appeared as a pundit and guest at football events.
Did Toni Duggan play for Manchester City?
Yes, from 2013 to 2017, winning multiple domestic trophies.
Did Toni Duggan play for Barcelona?
Yes, she joined Barcelona Femení in 2017 and won the Liga F and Copa de la Reina.
How tall is Toni Duggan?
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in).
When was Toni Duggan born?
25 July 1991 in Liverpool, England.
Related stories
Lucy Hartley covers community affairs, civic society, local services and public life for Civic Affairs.