Barking Abbey point guard Diana Naydenova-Goryanova has announced her retirement from basketball after a distinguished career spanning 28 years.

Having signed her first professional contract at 15, and then going on to win a championship and receive an invite to the Bulgarian Senior Women’s National Team that same season, it was a fitting start to a career that will now come to a close at 43 years of age.

An impressive career saw the 5’7? guard winning multiple national championships and cups in both Bulgaria and Croatia – where she spent the majority of her career – with the likes of Lokomotive Sofia, Montana Bulgaria, Dunav Ruse and Marica Plovidiv.

She also had success in inter-continental competition, winning two Adriatic League titles with Croatian side ŽKK Gospi?, and also had stints in Macedonia, Italy and Austria.

Naydenova-Goryanova has played in multiple EuroBaskets (2005, 2009), and represented Bulgaria at the Junior World Championships in 1993.

“From the first time I started playing when I was six, I fell in love with the game and still am,” she reflected.

“I’m still finding it hard to believe that I am retiring, and don’t realise what a big change there will be in my life.

“I will give everything I can to be close to the game and to give all my knowledge to my younger players.

“The last team in my career is Barking Abbey, for which I am endlessly grateful to my friend and coach Mark and to all my friends,teammates and ex teammates. Every team and place that I used to play have place in my heart.

“I’m ready for new challenges!”

She joined Barking Abbey in 2013 and has become a crucial part of the programme, not only with her performances on the court, where she helped lead BA to the WBBL Trophy Final in 2016, but her veteran leadership off it; helping the younger players develop.

“It has simply been a privilege to work with Diana,” Barking Abbey Head Coach Mark Clark said.

“Her record as a player in the top leagues in Europe and with the National Team is unique for a player in the WBBL. She has enhanced our programme on and off the court and is an example for all our players.

“The biggest impact she has had is simply through her passion for the game, she is moving into coaching where you know she has a great future. She has been a great player she is and always will be a great person.”