Esme Morgan

Last updated

Esme Morgan
Morgan Potrait 2019.jpg
Morgan playing for Manchester City in 2019
Personal information
Full name Esme Beth Morgan [1]
Date of birth (2000-10-18) 18 October 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) [1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Washington Spirit
Number 24
Youth career
2015–2017 Manchester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2017–2024 Manchester City 53 (1)
2019–2020Everton (loan) 11 (1)
2024– Washington Spirit 18 (2)
International career
2017–2018 England U17 6 (0)
2017–2019 England U19 18 (2)
2019 England U21 3 (0)
2022– England 16 (0)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing Flag of England.svg  England
UEFA Women's Championship
Winner 2025 Switzerland
UEFA–CONMEBOL Finalissima
Winner 2023 England
FIFA Women's World Cup
Runner-up 2023 Australia and New Zealand
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 01:55, 18 July 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:35, 22 July 2025 (UTC)

Esme Beth Morgan (born 18 October 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Washington Spirit and the England national team. She was part of the England squad which won UEFA Euro 2025.

Contents

Early life

Morgan began playing football aged 4 with Ecclesall Rangers boys team, remaining with the side until age 16. She also played for Worsbrough Bridge girls’ team. [2]

Club career

Manchester City

A product of Manchester City's youth team, Morgan signed her first professional contract with the club in June 2019,. [3] She had previously made her debut for the senior side in a league win against Yeovil Town on 24 September 2017. [4] She spent the 2019–20 season on loan at Everton. [5]

On 2 May 2021, in the 2020–21 season, Morgan scored her debut goal for City against Birmingham City in a 4–0 victory, assisted by Lauren Hemp in the 85th-minute. [6]

In September 2021, Morgan suffered a lower leg fracture against Tottenham at Manchester City's Academy Stadium. [7] She has since returned to the starting line-up for City. [8]

On 18 January 2022, Morgan signed a three-year contract extension with City. [9] On 6 November 2022, she captained her club for the first time in a 3–0 win over Reading. [10]

On 27 May 2024, it was announced that Morgan would leave the club. [11]

Washington Spirit

On 13 June 2024, it was announced that Morgan had signed for NWSL club Washington Spirit on a four-year deal, becoming eligible to play from 15 July. [12] She made her debut for the club in a 3–0 victory against Houston Dash on 15 September. [13] Morgan scored a brace in a 4-3 defeat to Angel City on 2 May 2025. [14] Morgan started in all three of the Spirit's playoff matches in the 2024 season. [15]

International career

Morgan (right) on her senior international debut for England against Czech Republic, October 2022. Eng Women 0 Czech Rep 0 11 10 2022-1005 (52426584556).jpg
Morgan (right) on her senior international debut for England against Czech Republic, October 2022.

Morgan has been featured throughout all youth levels of the England national team set-up, since she was first called up to the under-17 team in 2017.

Morgan was called up to the senior England squad for a training camp in September 2020, before being out on injury from September 2021 to late 2022. [3]

On 11 October 2022, Morgan won her first senior cap for the England national team when she made her debut as a half-time substitute in an international friendly against Czech Republic. [16] [17]

On 18 November 2022, her England legacy number was announced as number 224. [18] [19]

On 31 May 2023, Morgan was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023, [20] where she was an unused substitute in the tournament. [21]

Morgan celebrating at the victory parade following England's Euro 2025 win Lionesses Victory Parade 2025 (54685937172).jpg
Morgan celebrating at the victory parade following England's Euro 2025 win

On 5 June 2025, she was included in the squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2025. [22] Morgan made her major tournament debut as she came on as a substitute in the Lionesses' quarterfinal victory over Sweden. [23] She started in England's semifinal match against Italy, and was an unused substitute in England's 1-1 (3-1 on penalties) victory over Spain in the tournament's final. [24] [25]

Style of play

Morgan began her senior career as a forward, before becoming a defender. She mainly plays a centre-back, but can also play as a defensive midfielder, [3] and has played at right-back and left-back. [26] A progressive passer of the ball, her successful pass rate has reached as high as 92 per cent. She has been described as an intuitive and versatile defender who knows when to take initiative. [27]

Personal life

Although she grew up in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Morgan had been a lifelong supporter of Manchester City before signing for The Blues in 2017. [28] She says that she had a season ticket at the Blues since the age of three and "dreamed of playing for Manchester City" her whole life. [29]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 22 June 2025 [21]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational Cup [a] League CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionRegular seasonPlayoffs
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2017–18 Women's Super League 70003000100
2018–19 Women's Super League6000300090
2020–21 Women's Super League12120405 [b] 010241
2021–22 Women's Super League2000002 [b] 040
2022–23 Women's Super League17010401 [b] 0230
2023–24 Women's Super League902040150
Club total53100501808010851
Everton (loan) 2019–20 Women's Super League1110020131
Washington Spirit 2024 NWSL 603090
2025 NWSL12210132
Club total1823010000000222
Career total824306020080101204

International

As of match played 22 July 2025 [21]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National TeamYearAppsGoals
England 202230
202340
202430
202560
Total160

Honours

Manchester City

Washington Spirit

England

References

  1. 1 2 "List of Players – England" (PDF). FIFA. 24 September 2016. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. "Esme Morgan". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 19 February 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 Saqib, Faiza (12 August 2023). "Esme Morgan: England and Man City talent in profile". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  4. Oatway, Caroline (18 January 2022). "Esme Morgan pens new City deal". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  5. "Everton Sign England Under-19 Captain On Season-Long Loan". www.evertonfc.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  6. "Kelly double sends Man City top of WSL". BBC Sport. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. "Esme Morgan: Manchester City confirm defender suffered a broken leg in Tottenham defeat". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 May 2022.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "England's Esme Morgan excited by Wembley return". www.englandfootball.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  9. "Morgan extends Man City deal until 2025". BBC Sport. 18 January 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  10. Mumford, Jack. "Morgan reflects on 'special' day as City captain". Manchester City FC. Retrieved 16 January 2023.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. "Morgan set for City exit". www.mancity.com. 27 May 2024.
  12. "Washington Spirit signs standout English defender Esme Morgan". Washington Spirit. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  13. "Recap: Spirit dominates Houston Dash, sweeps season series". Washington Spirit. 15 September 2024. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  14. "Washington Spirit lose transitional battle to Angel City, 4-3". The District Press. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  15. "Esme Morgan". Washington Spirit. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  16. Kelsey, George. "Morgan makes senior England debut in Czech Republic draw". Manchester City FC. Retrieved 16 January 2023.[ permanent dead link ]
  17. Toloui, Anton (7 July 2023). "Esme Morgan: England Women defender reveals she 'almost missed' World Cup call-up". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  18. "Legacy numbers introduced for England women's team". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  19. "Esme Morgan". England Football. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  20. Gerty, David (31 May 2023). "England squad named for 2023 Women's World Cup". England Football. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 "Esme Morgan". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  22. Sanders, Emma (5 June 2025). "James and Agyemang in England's Euro 2025 squad". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  23. "Esme Morgan: "I always had faith" that England would fight back against Sweden because "it wasn't our time to go"". Yahoo Sports. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  24. "England star Esme Morgan 'had it all' from a young age - coach". www.bbc.com. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  25. "England 1-1 Spain: Lionesses retain title with dramatic penalty victory as Chloe Kelly score winning kick". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  26. Piper, Alice (18 January 2022). "Manchester City defender Esme Morgan signs contract extension". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  27. "Esme Morgan: A stand-out for club and country". OneFootball. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  28. Association, The Football. "England Women's profile: Esme Morgan". www.thefa.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  29. Thorley, Caroline Oatway, Simon. "Esme Morgan: Blue blood". www.mancity.com. Retrieved 3 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. "Recap: Short-Handed Spirit Wins 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup". Washington Spirit. 8 March 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  31. Sanders, Emma (20 August 2023). "England beaten by Spain in Women's World Cup final". BBC Sport . Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  32. Sanders, Emma (27 July 2025). "England 1-1 Spain: Lionesses retain title with dramatic penalty victory as Chloe Kelly score winning kick". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  33. Sanders, Emma (6 April 2023). "England beat Brazil on penalties to win Finalissima". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.