Ebony Salmon

Ebony Salmon

Salmon with Bristol City.
Personal information
Date of birth	(2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Wolverhampton, England
Height	5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Aston Villa
Number	17
Youth career
2014–2017	Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2018	Aston Villa	12	(7)
2018–2019	Manchester United	0	(0)
2019	→ Sheffield United (loan)	9	(7)
2019–2021	Bristol City	34	(11)
2021–2022	Racing Louisville	25	(6)
2022–2023	Houston Dash	30	(10)
2023–	Aston Villa	25	(4)
International career‡
2017–2018	England U17	14	(9)
2019–2020	England U19	12	(8)
2021–	England	4	(0)
2022–	England U23	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 December 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 December 2023

Ebony Salmon (born 27 January 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Aston Villa, the England national team, and the under-23 team. A product of the Aston Villa academy, she has previously played senior football for Sheffield United, Bristol City, Racing Louisville and Houston Dash. Salmon has captained England's under-17s and under-23s, and made her senior international debut in February 2021.

Club career

Aston Villa

After three years in the Aston Villa academy, Salmon joined the first team in the WSL 2 for the 2017–18 season. ^[1]

On 8 October 2017, Salmon made her debut in a 2–1 defeat at Sheffield. ^[2] A month later, she scored her first goal for the club in a 4–0 victory against Watford. ^[3] On 5 November, Salmon scored in a 2–2 WSL Cup draw against Sheffield, before being dismissed in the final minute of the match. ^{[4] [5]}

She scored her first brace for the club in a 3–3 draw against the London Bees on 7 January 2018, and went on to score in three consecutive games in April. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]} Salmon scored a total of seven goals in 12 league games, despite her team finishing second from bottom in the table and winning just three of their 18 games. ^[10]

Manchester United

Salmon training with Manchester United in 2018

On 1 July 2018, Salmon joined the newly-formed Manchester United to compete in the FA Women's Championship. ^{[11] [12]} On 4 January 2019, Salmon moved to fellow Championship side Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season having not yet made her United debut. ^[13] She was released at the end of the season having not made an appearance for the club. ^[14]

Sheffield United (loan)

Salmon with Sheffield United in 2019

On 6 January 2019, she made her league debut for Sheffield United, as a 52nd-minute substitute for Chloe Dixon, in their 2–1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur. ^[15] On 27 January, Salmon scored her first goal for the club, converting a 90th minute penalty in Sheffield United's 2–3 defeat by Charlton Athletic in the Women's Championship. ^[16] She scored her second brace of the season on 11 May in a 6–0 win over Millwall. ^[17]

Bristol City

On 15 July 2019, Salmon signed with Bristol City ahead of the 2019–20 FA WSL season. ^[18] She made her debut on the opening day of the season on 7 September 2019, in a 0–0 home draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. ^[19] Salmon scored the only goal in a 1–0 away win against former club Manchester United to secure Bristol City's first win of the season on 5 January 2020. ^[20] Salmon was Bristol City's highest goalscorer for the 2019–20 season, scoring five league goals and eight in all competitions as Bristol City avoided relegation after finishing the curtailed season in 10th place on points-per-game. ^[21] She repeated the feat the following season, scoring 10 goals in all competitions including six in the league. However, Bristol City finished bottom and were relegated. On 13 May 2021, the club announced Salmon would be leaving in the summer upon the expiration of her contract. ^[22]

Racing Louisville

Following her departure from Bristol City, it was announced on the same day that Salmon had signed a two-year contract with NWSL expansion franchise Racing Louisville. ^[23] She made her debut as a 71st-minute substitute on 20 June and scored the only goal 74 seconds after coming on (34 seconds after the game restarted) in a 1–0 win over Houston Dash. ^[24] In her debut season Salmon finished as the team's highest league goalscorer with six goals in 20 appearances, and second on the team for goals in all competitions behind Cece Kizer on seven.

Houston Dash

Under new coach Kim Björkegren in 2022, Salmon's playing time at Racing Louisville declined. Louisville's general manager James O'Connor broached the prospect of a trade to Salmon, who had considered requesting one. The team subsequently traded her on 27 June 2022 to Houston Dash in exchange for up to $190,000 of allocation money depending on her results in Houston, a fee that set a Louisville club record. Upon arriving, the Dash signed Salmon to a one-year contract extension through 2023, and Salmon remarked in an interview that she would be "taking my anger from not playing in Louisville and I'm going to show what I can do here when I get on the pitch." ^[25]

Return to Aston Villa

On 8 September 2023, it was announced that Salmon had returned to Aston Villa on a three-year deal. ^[26] In the 2023–24 season, Salmon scored in the 2-1 away victory against Everton. ^[27]

International career

Salmon (left) with Alex Greenwood, playing for England against Czech Republic, 11 October 2022.

Youth

On 28 April 2017, Salmon made her debut for England Under-17s in a 2–0 defeat to the United States. ^[28] In her third team appearance, she scored both of her country's goals in a 6–2 defeat in the United States after coming on as a half-time substitute. ^[29] In 2018 U17 Championship qualification, Salmon scored in a 10–0 victory against Latvia, and added two goals in a 6–0 win against Slovakia in October 2017 to help qualify. ^[30] In May 2018, Salmon captained England at the U17 Championship. ^[31] After scoring in a 2–1 defeat to Spain, ^[32] Salmon scored a hat-trick in 18 minutes against Italy to secure a place in the knockout rounds. ^[33] She appeared in the semi-final and third-place fixtures as England finished the tournament in fourth. ^[31]

On 3 April 2019, in the under-19 squad for 2019 U19 Championship qualification, Salmon scored two goals in the 7–0 victory against Turkey, ^[34] with another goal in the 2019 U19 Championship against Belgium. ^[35] In October 2019 for 2020 U19 Championship qualification, she scored in each group match, with one goal against Cyprus and Serbia, and two against Belarus, in matches that England all won. ^[36] The 2020 U19 Championship was subsequently cancelled due the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. ^[37]

On 12 October 2021, after her senior team debut earlier in the year, Salmon captained the Under-23 team to a 1–0 victory against Belgium, ^[38] and appeared as a substitute in the 11–0 win against Estonia on 30 November. ^[39] In February 2022, she scored two goals against France in each game of the double-header fixture. ^[40] On 8 April, she again captained the U23 team, this time against Netherlands for a 0–0 draw. ^[41] From October until December 2023, Salmon featured in the new U23 European League, ^[42] against Italy, Portugal, France, and Spain. ^[43]

Senior

In February 2021, Salmon received her first senior international call-up as a late addition to Hege Riise's first squad as interim England manager. ^[44] She made her debut on 23 February as an 84th-minute substitute for Rachel Daly in a 6–0 friendly win against Northern Ireland. ^[45] In August 2022, she was selected for 2023 World Cup qualification matches. ^[46]

Salmon was allotted 219 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international. ^[47]

Personal life

Born in England, Salmon is of Jamaican descent through her father. ^[48]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 November 2024 ^[10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup [a]		League cup [b]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Aston Villa	2017–18	Women's Super League 2	12	7	0	0	4	2	16	9
Manchester United	2018–19	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sheffield United (loan)	2018–19	Championship	9	7	2	1	0	0	11	8
Bristol City	2019–20	Women's Super League	14	5	2	0	5	3	21	8
	2020–21	Women's Super League	20	6	1	0	6	4	27	10
	Total		34	11	3	0	11	7	48	18
Racing Louisville	2021	NWSL	20	6	—		—		20	6
	2022	NWSL	5	0	—		4	0	9	0
	Total		25	6	0	0	4	0	29	6
Houston Dash	2022	NWSL	13	9	—		—		13	9
	2023	NWSL	17	1	—		6	1	23	2
	Total		30	10	0	0	6	1	36	11
Aston Villa	2023–24	Women's Super League	18	3	1	0	5	3	24	6
	2024–25	Women's Super League	7	1	0	0	3	2	10	3
	Total		25	4	1	0	8	5	34	9
Career total			135	45	6	1	33	15	174	61

1. Includes Women's FA Cup
2. Includes FA Women's League Cup and NWSL Challenge Cup

International

As of match played 19 February 2023

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
England	2021	1	0
	2022	2	0
	2023	1	0
Total		4	0

Honours

England

• Arnold Clark Cup: 2023 ^[49]

Individual

• Bristol City W.F.C. Player Of The Year Award - 2020/21
• Bristol City W.F.C. Young Player Of The Year Award - 2020/21

References

1. Wrack, Suzanne (9 October 2018). "From Ellie Roebuck to Ebony Salmon: 10 young English footballers to watch". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
2. "Sheffield 2–1 Aston Villa". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
3. "Aston Villa 4–0 Watford". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
4. "Aston Villa 2–2 Sheffield". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
5. "Aston Villa 2–2 Sheffield – Result Details". The Football Association. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2019.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
6. "Aston Villa 3–3 London Bees". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
7. "London Bees 2–1 Aston Villa". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
8. "Millwall Lionesses 2–1 Aston Villa". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
9. "Aston Villa 1–0 Oxford United". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
10. "Ebony Salmon". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
11. "Ebony Salmon". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
12. "United Women's Squad: Player By Player". Manchester United Football Club. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
13. "Ebony Salmon joins on loan". sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
14. "Man Utd Women release Devlin, Hartley, Roberts and Salmon". ManUtd.com. Manchester United.
15. "United Women 1-2 Spurs - report". Sheffield United Football Club. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
16. "United Women 2-3 Charlton - report". sufc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
17. "United Women 6-0 Millwall - report". SUFC.co.uk. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
18. "Salmon signs for City Women". Bristol City FC. 15 July 2019.
19. Barton, Lewis (7 September 2019). "Report: Bristol City Women 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion". bcfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
20. "Women's Super League: Manchester United 0–1 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 5 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
21. "Ebony Salmon Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
22. "Salmon departs the West Country". Bristol City FC. 13 May 2021.
23. "Racing Louisville signs emerging star striker Salmon". Racing Louisville FC. 13 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
24. "England's Salmon scores stunning goal after 74 seconds on NWSL debut". BBC Sport.
25. Lloyd-Hughes, Theo (27 June 2022). "Exclusive: Ebony Salmon on her 'unfinished business' in the NWSL". The Striker Texas. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
26. "Ebony Salmon re-joins Villa Women!". Aston Villa Football Club. 8 September 2023.
27. Media, P. A. (16 March 2024). "Kenza Dali and Ebony Salmon quick to take Aston Villa past Everton". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 17 March 2024.
28. "United States U17 2–0 England U17". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
29. "United States U17 6–2 England U17". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
30. • "England U17 10–0 Latvia U17". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
    • "England U17 6–0 Slovakia U17". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
31. "Ebony Salmon". uefa.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
32. "Spain U17 2–1 England U17". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
33. "England U17 4–0 Italy U17". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
34. "England-Türkiye | Women's Under-19 2019". UEFA. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
35. "Belgium-England | Women's Under-19 2019". UEFA. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
36. • "England-Cyprus | Women's Under-19 2020". UEFA. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    • "Serbia-England | Women's Under-19 2020". UEFA. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.<
    • "England-Belarus | Women's Under-19 2020". UEFA. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
37. "Women's Under-19 finals in Georgia cancelled | Women's Under-19". UEFA. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
38. Frank, Smith (25 October 2021). "Belgium 0-1 England WU23s". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
39. Smith, Frank (30 November 2021). "Match report: England WU23s 11-0 Estonia". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
40. • Smith, Frank (17 February 2022). "Late penalty decides France v England WU23s". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    • Smith, Frank (20 February 2022). "Ebony Salmon scores again as England WU23s take on France". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
41. Smith, Frank (8 April 2022). "England WU23s and Netherlands cannot be separated during entertaining clash in Spain". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
42. Veevers, Nicholas (6 July 2023). "England WU23s' new season schedule revealed". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
43. • McHugh, Beth (26 October 2023). "Report: Italy 1-1 England WU23s". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    • McHugh, Beth (30 October 2023). "Report: England WU23s 2-0 Portugal". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    • McHugh, Beth (30 November 2023). "Report: France 0-1 England WU23s". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    • McHugh, Beth (4 December 2023). "England WU23s unbeaten throughout 2023 following Spain draw". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
44. "Bristol City striker Ebony Salmon added to England squad for Northern Ireland game". TheFA.com.
45. Glendenning, Barry (23 February 2021). "England 6-0 Northern Ireland: women's international football friendly – as it happened". The Guardian.
46. Davies, Callum (24 August 2022). "Several changes to England Women's squad". England Football. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
47. "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
48. Association, The Football. "England and Racing Louisville striker Ebony Salmon becomes the latest Lioness to take part in our feature 20 Questions". www.englandfootball.com.
49. "England 6-1 Belgium: Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup with win over Belgium". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.

External links

• Ebony Salmon – UEFA competition record ( archive )
• Ebony Salmon at Soccerway