Freya Godfrey

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 and has captained the under-19s.

Freya Godfrey
Godfrey with Ipswich Town in 2023.
Personal information
Full name Freya Godfrey
Date of birth (2005-05-07) 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– England U19 19 (12)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024[2]
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 April 2024[3]

Early life

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

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

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
  1. "Freya Godfrey". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. Freya Godfrey at Soccerway
  3. Freya Godfrey at Flashscore.com
  4. "Freya Godfrey joins Charlton Athletic on loan". Arsenal F.C. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  5. "Godfrey delighted to sign first professional deal". Arsenal F.C. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  6. 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. "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.
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