Seattle Reign defender Lauren “Lu” Barnes has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2025 NWSL season.

Barnes is one of just four remaining "NWSL Originals" (Sydney Leroux, Jess Fishlock, Alyssa Naeher) who have been in the league since its inaugural season in 2013.

The defender has been with the Reign her entire NWSL career, holding club records in games played (250), games started (238) and minutes (20,940).

Barnes has earned a number of team and individual honors throughout her career, helping Seattle to three NWSL Shields (2014, 2015, 2022). She was named 2016 NWSL Defender of the Year and was named to the NWSL Best XI First Team twice (2015, 2016) and Second Team twice (2014, 2019).

“From day one, Seattle has been home,” Barnes said. “I’ve grown up here — as a player, a leader and a person. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and the culture we’ve created. To have spent my entire professional career with this club, in this city, surrounded by the people I love, is something truly special.

"I’m so grateful to my teammates, coaches, staff and our fans who have supported me through every season. This chapter of my life has been a dream, and I’m excited to take it all in one last time with my Reign family.”

Barnes will be honored ahead of Friday's game against the Utah Royals, the Reign's final home game of the regular season.

“Lu has been the heartbeat of this club since the very beginning,” said Reign head coach Laura Harvey. “She has been the glue that has held us together through the ups and the downs. Everything about who we are, whether it’s our standards, our values or our resilience, Lu has her fingerprints on it all.

"Throughout her legendary career, Lu has been authentic, selfless and a leader on and off the pitch. It’s been an honor to be a part of her journey, and her legacy will be felt here for generations.”

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: Seattle Reign and NWSL legend Lauren Barnes announces retirement

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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