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Burnaby soccer great Christine Sinclair hanging up her boots for good

Sinclair had retired from international competition in 2023.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
sinclairthorns01
Burnaby soccer great Christine Sinclair will hang up her boots for good after the current NWSL season.NWSL/X

All good things must come to an end. 

That includes Burnaby soccer icon Christine Sinclair's incredible career, announcing on Friday that she will officially retire from soccer at the end of the NWSL season. 

Sinclair currently plays for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League, but retired from international play with Team Canada in December of 2023. 

"Portland, thank you will never be enough," Sinclair wrote in an Instagram post, confirming her club soccer retirement. 

"Soccer has been my passion since I was 4 years old and it has taken me on a journey I could have never imagined. The game led me to making the most impactful decision of my life: to attend the University of Portland. 

"I arrived at UP as a shy kid hoping to bring a national championship to the University, but more specifically to its' beloved and legendary coach, Clive Charles. We did it twice. 

"You'll often hear me say that I wrote '1. Portland 2. Portland. 3. Portland' when asked about the top 3 cities I'd like to play for during the founding of the NWSL. 

"For the last 11 years, it has been an honour to be a part of the Portland Thorns organization. The club that showed the world what is possible when women's sports are invested in. 

"As I finish this lase ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful, and passionate city that I will always call home.

"I still have the same passion as that young 4 year old growing up in Burnaby, BC, but as I hang up my playing boots, I vow to channel it in a new way. To continue growing the game I love, while inspiring the next generation." 

Sinclair was one of the first members of the Portland Thorns and is the only player that has been with the club throughout its 12 year existence. 

She holds numerous club records including games played (195 to date) and games started (176). 

During her Thorns career, she has tallied 64 regular season goals, which is a record for the Thorns and third most in NWSL history. 

The Burnaby product scored 190 international goals representing Canada on the world stage, which is the most all-time in both men and women's play.