Gracie Prior (born 2 December 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender and midfielder for Women's Super League club Manchester City. A product of the City academy, she previously played on dual registration for National League North side Burnley.

Gracie Prior
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-12-02) 2 December 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth England
Position(s) Defender,[1] midfielder[2][3]
Team information
Current team
Manchester City
Number 28
Youth career
2007–2012 Avro
2012–2022 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Manchester City 1 (0)
2023Brighouse Town[4] (loan) 5 (0)
2023–2024Burnley[5] (loan) 14 (1)
International career
2019 England U15 1 (0)
2021 England U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:12, 3 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:47, 29 November 2021 (UTC)

Youth career

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Prior began her youth career with Avro under-7s girl team, prior to joining the Manchester City Academy under-12s in 2012.[6][7] She went on to feature for the under-16s and the development team, making a total of 18 appearances for the latter, prior to joining the senior team.[8][9]

Club career

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Manchester City

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On 26 October 2022, as an 81st minute substitute, Prior made her senior debut for the first team in the 2022–23 FA Women's League Cup group match against Blackburn Rovers.[10]

On 14 August 2024, aged 19, Prior signed for her first professional contract with Manchester City on a four-year deal.[6][11] Two weeks later, she played in City's 2024–25 pre-season fixtures in Australia, featuring in the starting eleven for friendly against Leicester City.[12] Goal.com described her has having good composure and instincts in the game,[13] as one of the most significant emerging youth talents in the side.[14]

On 3 November 2024, she made her WSL debut against Crystal Palace in a 3–0 victory, coming on as a 61st minute substitute.[15][16]

Burnley (dual registration)

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On 8 October 2023, Prior joined National League North side Burnley on dual registration for the 2023–24 season,[17][18] scoring one goal in fourteen appearances,[5] while helping the side finish second place to become runners up of the league behind Newcastle United.[19]

International career

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Prior has represented the England under-15s and England under-19s in friendly matches.[20]

Style of play

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As a defender, Prior plays as a centre-back or centre-half,[14][1] as well as at right-back.[21] According to Mundo Deportivo, she is recognized for her "commanding presence on the field and exceptional vision and skills".[22]

Honours

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Burnley F.C.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Gracie Prior". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Gracie Prior". Womens Leagues and Competitions. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  3. ^ Feringa, Megan (12 December 2024). "Naomi Layzell interview: 'I kept thinking I'd tarnished one of the best games of my life'". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Player Season Totals | Brighouse Town | The FA Women's National League". The FA. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Player Season Totals | Burnley | The FA Women's National League". The FA. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b Pinnock, Hannah (14 August 2024). "Man City youngster Gracie Prior signs first professional contract". 90min. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Gracie's flying start with Avro takes her on the path towards greatness – Avro Academy". Avro F.C. Academy. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Player Season Totals | Manchester City Girls U16 | FA Girls' England Talent Pathway League". The FA. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Player Season Totals | Manchester City Women FC Development | Professional Game Academy League". The FA. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  10. ^ Cox, Sam (26 October 2022). "Blackburn hit for six as City make perfect Conti Cup start". Manchester City F.C. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  11. ^ Pentland, Daniel (14 August 2024). "Manchester City's teenage defender Prior signs four-year professional deal". WSL Full-Time. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  12. ^ Mumford, Jack (24 August 2024). "City start pre-season with penalty shoot-out victory over Leicester". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  13. ^ Ruszkai, Ameé (28 August 2024). "Chloe Kelly faces tough task getting back into Man City's starting XI: Winners and losers as Lionesses team-mate Jess Park shines in the Cityzens' first pre-season outing in Australia". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b Ruszkai, Ameé (2 September 2024). "How Vivianne Miedema fits in, Khiara Keating's new competition and five things we learned from Man City's pre-season Australia tour". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Crystal Palace Women 0 | Manchester City Women 3". Sky Sports. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Taylor: Young talent benefitting from 'world class' players' example". Manchester City F.C. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  17. ^ "City due join claret women". Burnley F.C. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  18. ^ Vernazza, Millie (14 August 2024). "Prior: City professional deal "a dream come true"". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  19. ^ a b Rampling-Mott, Abby (14 August 2024). "Gracie Prior signs first professional contract with City". Beyond The 90. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  20. ^ Gracie Prior at Soccerway
  21. ^ "Gracie Prior". FotMob. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Exciting News: A Rising Star set to join City's roster! Stay tuned for updates on this rising star". Mundo Deportivo. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
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