Can you be a club legend after just one season? If you’re Ingrid Moe Wold, the answer is yes

On May 20, 2021, following a career that spanned over a decade, Everton full back Ingrid Moe Wold retired from professional football. The Toffees’ season officially ended this past week with a 3–0 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round. Even though the game ended in defeat, Wold was honored by her teammates and opponents — she received a guard of honor following the match’s conclusion.

The Norwegian international linked up with the Toffees this past summer, signing from Madrid CFF, and established herself as one of the team’s most reliable players. Wold made a total of 27 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions. She missed just two league matches and logged 2,270 minutes throughout the season. Her 60 passes attempted (74th percentile) and 1.94 interceptions (65th) per 90 illustrate her ability to break up play and move the ball forward. She also played in all three fixtures of the Continental Cup and was instrumental in helping the Blues make a dream run to the 2019/20 FA Cup Final.

Wold began her professional life in Norway with LSK Kvinner before moving to the Spanish Capital in 2019. She ends her career with 12 major honors, representing Norway at the 2015 and 2019 World Cup Finals and the 2017 European Championship. Wold steps away from the national team with 70 caps across nine years.

Despite being 31 years old, Wold has decided to pursue a career in physiotherapy, specializing in injury prevention in youth athletes. It was a bitter-sweet ending for Everton’s stalwart right back last Thursday, but she knew it was time to hang up the boots.

“Getting the opportunity to come here and experience the most competitive league in the world, to meet world-class players every single day and every single weekend, it’s been amazing. I’m happy I could end my career here,” she said.

Manager Willie Kirk, who expressed sadness at Wold’s decision to retire, had nothing but good things to say about the player he selected to captain his side in its final outing.

“In my opinion, she’s got a few years left in her easily, but she’s sacrificing that to look after the long-term future in her life and that is making sure she supports her partner as he follows his dream and his job,” he said. “That’s just the type of person she is. She sacrifices herself for the benefit of others, and I think that tells you a lot about Moe as a person.”

And it wasn’t just Kirk who had a final message for Wold; her teammates made sure to send her off in style.

All the best to you, Moe, in your next chapter.