Freya Godfrey (born 7 May 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Arsenal. She has represented England from under-14 youth level, has captained the England under-19 national team, and currently plays for the under-23s.
.jpg) Godfrey with Ipswich Town in 2023. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Freya Godfrey | ||
| Date of birth | 7 May 2005[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Essex, England | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Arsenal | ||
| Number | 56 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Arsenal | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Arsenal | 2 | (0) |
| → Ipswich Town (dual reg) | |||
| 2023–2024 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021 | England U16 | ||
| 2022 | England U17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | England U19 | 23 | (12) |
| 2024– | England U23 | 2 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024[3] ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:02, December 2024 (UTC)[2] | |||
Early life
editBorn in Essex, Godfrey joined the Essex FA's Regional Talent Club at young age before becoming part of Arsenal's academy setup at the age of 12.[4][5] She impressed at youth level, scoring 13 times in 18 appearances in the WSL Academy League.[1]
Club career
editGodfrey played for Ipswich Town in the FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division in the 2022–2023 season, while remaining with the Gunners under dual-registration.[4]
As a central striker, she excelled with Ipswich, scoring 8 goals in all competitions, as well as the winner on the last day of the season against Oxford United on the 7 May 2023.[6][7]
On 11 May 2023, Godfrey made her Arsenal and WSL debut as an 89th minute substitute, appearing in Arsenal's 4–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.[8][9]
In June 2023, Godfrey signed her first professional contract with Arsenal before joining Charlton Athletic on loan in July,[5][4] saying she "can’t wait to get started,”[9]
In December 2023, after 10 appearances with Charlton, she was profiled as one of the next-generation stars of the Women's Championship by Impetus Football.[10]
International career
editGodfrey has represented England from under-14 to under-19 level.[9]
In October 2021, she was named in the England U17 squad as the number 11,[11] playing in 2022 U-17 Championship qualification matches against Russia, Belgium and Poland.[12][13][14]
In October 2022, with the under-19s for 2023 U-19 Championship qualification, Godfrey scored two goal against Slovenia in a 5–0 victory.[15] In April 2023, she scored another two goals against Belarus in a 5–2 win,[16] becoming the team's top goalscorer in qualification.
In December 2023, she captained the under-19 team, scoring in all three Algarve Cup matches.[6] On April 9, 2024, Godfrey again captained the U19 team, this time for successful 2024 U19 Championship qualification,[17] as well as scoring the opening two goals in the 4–1 victory over Italy.[18]
In October 2024, Godfrey was called up to the England under-23 squad following the injury to Missy Goodwin.[19] On October 29, as 67th minute substitute, she made her debut for the under-23s against Portugal in a 1–0 win.[20]
References
edit- ^ a b "Freya Godfrey". Charlton Athletic F.C. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ Freya Godfrey at Flashscore.com
- ^ Freya Godfrey at Soccerway
- ^ a b c "Freya Godfrey joins Charlton Athletic on loan". Arsenal F.C. 28 July 2023. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Godfrey delighted to sign first professional deal". Arsenal F.C. 11 February 2024. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ a b Burhan, Asif (12 January 2024). "Ipswich Town Seeking To Thwart Former Player In Women's FA Cup". Forbes. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ "Watford win Southern Premier title as Oxford miss out". BBC Sport. 7 May 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Sanders, Emma (10 May 2023). "Arsenal thrash Brighton to regain third place". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "Freya Godfrey joins on loan". Charlton Athletic F.C. 28 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Murray, Tara (13 December 2023). "Eight of the best next-gen stars in the Championship". Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Smith, Frank (1 October 2021). "England women's under-17 squad announced for triple header in Poland". www.englandfootball.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "England-Russia* | Women's Under-17 2022". UEFA.com. 4 October 2021. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "England-Belgium | Women's Under-17 2022". UEFA.com. 7 October 2021. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "Poland-England | Women's Under-17 2022". UEFA.com. 10 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "England-Slovenia | Women's Under-19 2023". UEFA.com. 5 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "England-Belarus | Women's Under-19 2023". UEFA.com. 8 April 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "England-Switzerland | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA.com. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Vassell, Zac (9 April 2024). "Report: Italy 1-4 England WU19s". www.englandfootball.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ "England squad updates: WU23s and WU19s changes". England Football. 21 October 2024. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ McHugh, Beth (29 October 2024). "Report: England WU23s 1-0 Portugal". England Football. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
External links
edit
- Profile Archived 30 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine at Charlton Athletic
- Freya Godfrey at Soccerway