Anita had the honour of kicking off London 2012 by taking the centre for Team GB against New Zealand in Cardiff – the very first action of the Olympic Games.
A previous U17 international and U19 captain, Anita made her senior team debut against Iceland in 2004 and scored her first, and so far only, international goal against Norway a year later.
She was named in the squads for the Euros in 2005 and 2009 and the World Cups in 2007 and 2011.
The dominant midfielder, who is just as comfortable at centre back, spent the beginning part of her career at Arsenal before joining London neighbours Chelsea.
Anita then left for America where she turned out for Sky Blue (twice), Saint Louis Athletica, Chicago Red Stars and Washington Freedom. She signed for Gothenburg in Sweden in 2012.