Reading FC Women can today confirm that midfielder Brooke Chaplen has retired from professional football following a lengthy forced spell out of the game.
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Brooke stands as one of our most-capped players, following her arrival from Sunderland back in 2017. Chaplen has gone on to make a total of 94 appearances, scoring 26 goals as a Royal.
In February, the club announced that the Royals midfielder would be set for an extended spell on the sidelines, following scan results which showed a bone tumour in her leg which required treatment and rehabilitation.
On the journey she has been on over the last few months, Brooke said, “Obviously at the end of January, I found out that I had a tumour at the top of my fibula and, due to the likelihood of it being cancerous, it would need to come out.
“I’m pleased to say the operation was successful, and it was removed. Scans today show there is no sign of it left, which is obviously great news.
“Unfortunately, the procedure I had to have meant that a couple of knee ligaments which were attached to that point weren’t able to be saved. As a result, I was advised that moving forward playing football now wouldn’t be an option for me.
“I’ve been here a long time now and I feel part of the furniture - I have some great memories. From scoring my first goal against Liverpool to battling the likes of Manchester United for the top three spot.
“I feel like my ability as a player has been massively developed here and that’s huge credit to Kelly and all the coaching staff at Reading for all the time and resource they invested in me.”
“I’d like to think I now embark on a new path in football. I feel like I’ve got a lot to give with the experiences I’ve had within women’s football.
“Whilst I was playing, I’ve been studying for a number of years, looking at the business side of football.
“In terms of the immediate future, I still have my injury which I picked up back in November – that was put on the back burner a little bit due to the tumour. So I’ll be dedicating a lot of time to getting myself fit and healthy so I can exercise and keep fit in my life beyond football”.
Reading will be celebrating Brooke’s achievements before kick-off in our final home game against Manchester City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday 8th May, 12pm kick-off.
Naturally, everyone at the club would like to sincerely thank Brooke for everything she had done during her time at Reading. And we would like to wish her the very best of luck in what she chooses to do in the next chapter in her career.
Thank you Brooke. Once a Royal, always a Royal.