EXCLUSIVE: A Chelsea legend has broken their silence after being linked with a blockbuster transfer to Manchester United, insisting ‘you’ll never see me in red’
A Chelsea legend has broken their silence on rumours surrounding a blockbuster transfer to Manchester United this summer.
Millie Bright has announced she will be bringing her illustrious playing career to an end this summer. The Chelsea defender, 32, has played for the Blues for 12 years since joining from Doncaster Belles in 2014, enjoying a trophy-laden spell for club and country, including eight league titles at Kingsmeadow and the Euro 2022 crown with the Lionesses.
However, the 88-time England international called quits on her international career last summer. And she has now decided to step away from the beautiful game completely, subsequently ending speculation that she could be making a move to United.
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It was reported Bright wanted to return north when her Chelsea contract expires this summer, with United heavily linked with securing her signature.
But just two weeks ago, Bright, originally from Chesterfield, dropped the bombshell that she would instead be hanging up her boots, rather than finding herself a new club.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport on the Women’s Football Awards red carpet, courtesy of headline sponsor SHEIN, Bright gave a firm answer on the truth behind the links to United.
She said: “No, honestly you’ll never see me in red – it doesn’t look right. Chelsea is the only team I represent,” she said.
“It’s part of the game, the speculation, the press put out stuff with the rumours, but my decision was made. I knew I was retiring.”
Bright will be remaining in football and at Chelsea, taking up a role as a club ambassador. The Blues’ domestic treble winner in both 2020–21 and 2024–25 will also remain a trustee of the Chelsea Foundation.
Reflecting on the whirlwind days that followed her announcement, Bright said: “It’s been good, I’ve just taken time to relax, enjoy life and switch off. There’s still a lot going on, and I feel busier than I was before! It’s really nice being back at home with the family.
“I’m going to take the summer off and enjoy some family time and go on holidays that I haven’t been able to go on for three years so I’ll be doing that first and then I’m super excited to get back to work with Chelsea.
“I’m staying on as an ambassador for the club so I’m still representing Chelsea. I’ll be working with the women’s team, going to games, working with sponsors and obviously still working within the trust and foundation.
“It means I get to be involved more as doing that whilst playing was hard but now I have more time to commit to that. It’s a really exciting chapter.”
Bright played 314 times for Chelsea and won eight Women’s Super League titles, including six between 2020 and 2025, six FA Cups, and four League Cups.