Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth says she did not hesitate when making the decision to retire from football at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old began her career at Sunderland in 2008 and has gone on to represent seven clubs - the most of any player in the Women's Super League.

Staniforth also earned 17 England caps and was twice a losing FA Cup finalist, with Sunderland in 2009 and Bristol Academy in 2013.

But having been plagued by injuries, she is ready for life after football.

"To me, it's really exciting. It's not something I've wrestled with, but it's definitely been a thought in the back of my mind as I've been getting on," Staniforth told BBC Sport.

"I'm really comfortable with the decision. It's been really cool to take the football lens off and be excited for me, as a person, moving into the big, wide world.

"I just feel really at ease with it. I'm super-content with my career and everything that I've overcome and achieved."

York-born Staniforth was one of a handful of Lionesses who developed in the academies of the north east of England and went on to successful careers.

She broke into Sunderland's first team at the age of 16 and was close friends with Lucy Bronze, sharing lifts to training with her former team-mate and current England defender.

A midfielder known for her intelligent movement and passing range, Staniforth ends her career at Villa having made more than 50 appearances in all competitions.

It has not been a smooth ride, however, as she has suffered back-to-back anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in 2014 in different knees, which caused her to miss almost three seasons.

"I feel so lucky to have been able to go to the places I've been to and to have met the people I have," added Staniforth.

"Football has ultimately been my life. It's made me who I am and it's all I've known. It's huge and I've loved it. I've also hated it at times because it's really hard!

"There's so many times when you question your worth. That's something I have struggled with throughout my career, knowing who I am away from the pitch.

"I'm excited now because I'm not 'Lucy the footballer' anymore. It might be hard to come to terms with down the line, but at the moment, it just excites me."

Staniforth hopes to "discover a new part" of herself away from the game and learn to celebrate her achievements.

"I've probably been so hard on myself throughout my whole career. I always wanted to achieve great things and be this wonderful player with a list of honours," she added.

"I've learned that while everything has been so hard, I've been so resilient. I just need to be like, 'Fair play, it's not easy'.

"I can get through anything and I'm really proud that I've been able to do that and still reach the peak of my career.

"I have tried not to take life too seriously. I've always tried to be a great team-mate and lift everyone's spirits. Hopefully those skills lead me into success after football."

Retirement will give Staniforth a chance to reflect on how much has changed since she made her Sunderland debut 17 years ago.

"It's pretty crazy. The kit was hanging off us, we were raising money to afford to get to games, but we had the best time," she recalled.

"It was such a great learning experience, just being thrown in the deep end into women's football and with a really humble upbringing.

"We had nothing and we made the most out of everything we got. Everything that came after, has just blown my mind.

"Being able to play at Wembley for England never crossed my mind, but now it's a regular thing. It's unbelievable."

So what next for Staniforth?

She has a master's degree in football directorship and has taken on golf as a hobby but wants to help unions across the sport improve facilities and access.

"That's the space that I'm going look to go into. I've got so much experience and I was playing for various different clubs," added Staniforth, who also had spells at Liverpool, Sunderland again, Birmingham and Manchester United before joining Villa in 2023.

"Access to facilities, the difficulties of playing international football and travelling, then match loading - I think those things are some key areas in women's football.

"It needs playing experience to be able to guide people in the right direction. I'm definitely steering down that route for now. But in the future, who knows?"