Freya Godfrey

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Freya Godfrey
Godfrey with Ipswich Town in 2023.
Personal information
Full name Freya Godfrey
Date of birth (2005-05-07) 7 May 2005 (age 18)[1]
Place of birth Essex, England
Position(s) Forward / attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
Charlton Athletic
(on loan from Arsenal)
Number 14
Youth career
Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Arsenal 2 (0)
Ipswich Town (dual reg)
2023–Charlton Athletic (loan) 16 (0)
International career
2021 England U16
2022 England U17 3 (0)
2022– England U19 19 (12)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024[3]
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 April 2024[2]

Freya Godfrey (born 7 May 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Championship club Charlton Athletic, on loan from Women's Super League club Arsenal. She has represented England from under-14 youth level and has captained the under-19s.

Early life[edit]

Born 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[edit]

Godfrey 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[edit]

Godfrey 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 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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Freya Godfrey". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. ^ Freya Godfrey at Flashscore.com
  3. ^ Freya Godfrey at Soccerway
  4. ^ a b c "Freya Godfrey joins Charlton Athletic on loan". Arsenal F.C. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Godfrey delighted to sign first professional deal". Arsenal F.C. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b Burhan, Asif (12 January 2024). "Ipswich Town Seeking To Thwart Former Player In Women's FA Cup". Forbes. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Watford win Southern Premier title as Oxford miss out". BBC Sport. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  8. ^ Sanders, Emma (10 May 2023). "Arsenal thrash Brighton to regain third place". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Freya Godfrey joins on loan". Charlton Athletic F.C. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  10. ^ Murray, Tara (13 December 2023). "Eight of the best next-gen stars in the Championship". Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  11. ^ Smith, Frank (1 October 2021). "England women's under-17 squad announced for triple header in Poland". www.englandfootball.com. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  12. ^ "England-Russia* | Women's Under-17 2022". UEFA.com. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  13. ^ "England-Belgium | Women's Under-17 2022". UEFA.com. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Poland-England | Women's Under-17 2022". UEFA.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  15. ^ "England-Slovenia | Women's Under-19 2023". UEFA.com. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  16. ^ "England-Belarus | Women's Under-19 2023". UEFA.com. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  17. ^ "England-Switzerland | Women's Under-19 2024". UEFA.com. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  18. ^ Vassell, Zac (9 April 2024). "Report: Italy 1-4 England WU19s". www.englandfootball.com. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

External links[edit]