Esme Morgan
{{Short description|English footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Esme Morgan
| image = Morgan Potrait 2019.jpg
| caption = Morgan playing for Manchester City in 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|10|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Sheffield, England
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Washington Spirit
| clubnumber = 24
| youthclubs1 = Manchester City
| youthyears1 = 2015–2017
| years1 = 2017–2024
| clubs1 = Manchester City
| caps1 = 53
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2019–2020
| clubs2 = → Everton (loan)
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2024–
| clubs3 = Washington Spirit
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam2 = England U19
| nationalcaps2 = 18
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2019
| nationalteam3 = England U21
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2022–
| nationalteam4 = England
| nationalcaps4 = 12
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 00:10, 1 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:40, 8 April 2025 (UTC)
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fbw|ENG}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|UEFA–CONMEBOL Finalissima}}
{{Medal|Winner|2023 England|}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Medal|RU|2023 Australia and New Zealand|}}
}}
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.
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.{{Cite web |title=Esme Morgan |url=https://www.mancity.com/players/esme-morgan |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=Manchester City F.C. }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Club career
=Manchester City=
A product of Manchester City's youth team, Morgan signed her first professional contract with the club in June 2019,.{{Cite web |last=Saqib |first=Faiza |date=2023-08-12 |title=Esme Morgan: England and Man City talent in profile |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/esme-morgan-england-lionesses-world-cup-squad-b2376748.html |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903214809/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/esme-morgan-england-lionesses-world-cup-squad-b2376748.html |url-status=live }} She had previously made her debut for the senior side in a league win against Yeovil Town on 24 September 2017.{{Cite web |last=Oatway |first=Caroline |date=January 18, 2022 |title=Esme Morgan pens new City deal |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/womens/esme-morgan-contract-extension |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=Manchester City F.C.}} She spent the 2019–20 season on loan at Everton.{{cite web |title=Everton Sign England Under-19 Captain On Season-Long Loan |url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1313076/everton-sign-england-under-19-captain-on-season-long-loan |website=www.evertonfc.com |language=en |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816142712/https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1313076/everton-sign-england-under-19-captain-on-season-long-loan |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite news |date=May 2, 2021 |title=Kelly double sends Man City top of WSL |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56876260 |access-date=2024-02-19 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
In September 2021, Morgan suffered a lower leg fracture against Tottenham at Manchester City's Academy Stadium.{{Cite web |title=Esme Morgan: Manchester City confirm defender suffered a broken leg in Tottenham defeat |url=https://uk-sport-web.prod.oceanusorigin.com/football/news/11679/12408699/esme-morgan-manchester-city-confirm-defender-suffered-broken-leg-in-tottenham-defeat |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=Sky Sports |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} She has since returned to the starting line-up for City.{{Cite web|title=England's Esme Morgan excited by Wembley return|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Oct/06/esme-morgan-england-call-up-interview-20220610|access-date=2022-11-15|website=www.englandfootball.com|language=en|archive-date=15 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115182919/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Oct/06/esme-morgan-england-call-up-interview-20220610|url-status=live}}
On 18 January 2022, Morgan signed a three-year contract extension with City.{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2022 |title=Morgan extends Man City deal until 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60040222 |access-date=2024-02-19 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219131532/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60040222 |url-status=live }} On 6 November 2022, she captained her club for the first time in a 3–0 win over Reading.{{Cite web |last=Mumford |first=Jack |title=Morgan reflects on 'special' day as City captain |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/womens/Morgan%20reflects%20on%20%27special%27%20day%20as%20City%20captain |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Manchester City FC |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On 27 May 2024, it was announced that Morgan would leave the club.{{cite web |title=Morgan set for City exit |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/womens/esme-morgan-to-leave-manchester-city-63852233 |website=www.mancity.com |date=27 May 2024}}
=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.{{cite web |title=Washington Spirit signs standout English defender Esme Morgan |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2024/06/13/washington-spirit-signs-standout-english-defender-esme-morgan/ |website=Washington Spirit |access-date=13 June 2024 |date=13 June 2024}} She made her debut for the club in a 3–0 victory against Houston Dash on 15 September.{{cite web |title=Recap: Spirit dominates Houston Dash, sweeps season series |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2024/09/15/recap-spirit-dominates-houston-dash-sweeps-season-series/ |website=Washington Spirit |access-date=16 September 2024 |date=15 September 2024 |archive-date=15 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915231154/https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2024/09/15/recap-spirit-dominates-houston-dash-sweeps-season-series/ |url-status=live }}
International career
File:Eng Women 0 Czech Rep 0 11 10 2022-1005 (52426584556).jpg 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.
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.{{Cite web |last=Kelsey |first=George |title=Morgan makes senior England debut in Czech Republic draw |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/womens/Morgan%20makes%20senior%20England%20debut%20in%20Czech%20Republic%20draw |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Manchester City FC |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |last=Toloui |first=Anton |date=July 7, 2023 |title=Esme Morgan: England Women defender reveals she 'almost missed' World Cup call-up |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/37517/12908260/esme-morgan-england-women-defender-reveals-she-almost-missed-world-cup-call-up |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219131533/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/37517/12908260/esme-morgan-england-women-defender-reveals-she-almost-missed-world-cup-call-up |url-status=live }}
On 18 November 2022, her England legacy number was announced as number 224.{{cite news|title=Legacy numbers introduced for England women's team|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63669450|access-date=25 June 2023|archive-date=20 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620203905/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63669450|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/england/womens-senior-team/squad/Esme-Morgan |title=Esme Morgan |website=England Football |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404111545/https://www.englandfootball.com/england/womens-senior-team/squad/Esme-Morgan |url-status=live }}
On 31 May 2023, Morgan was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023,{{cite web |last=Gerty |first=David |title=England squad named for 2023 Women's World Cup |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/May/31/england-womens-senior-squad-named-for-world-cup-2023-20233105 |website=England Football |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607142729/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/May/31/england-womens-senior-squad-named-for-world-cup-2023-20233105 |url-status=live }} where she was an unused substitute in the tournament.
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, and has played at right-back and left-back.{{Cite web |last=Piper |first=Alice |date=January 18, 2022 |title=Manchester City defender Esme Morgan signs contract extension |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/37052/12519122/manchester-city-defender-esme-morgan-signs-contract-extension |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=Sky Sports |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219131532/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/37052/12519122/manchester-city-defender-esme-morgan-signs-contract-extension |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2023 |title=Esme Morgan: A stand-out for club and country |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/esme-morgan-a-stand-out-for-club-and-country-38714628 |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=OneFootball |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219131532/https://onefootball.com/en/news/esme-morgan-a-stand-out-for-club-and-country-38714628 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |last=Association |first=The Football |title=England Women's profile: Esme Morgan |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/womens-seniors/squad/esme-morgan |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.thefa.com |language=en |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528222814/https://www.thefa.com/england/womens-seniors/squad/esme-morgan |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Thorley |first=Caroline Oatway, Simon |title=Esme Morgan: Blue blood |url=http://www.mancity.com/features/esme-morgan-blue-blood |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=www.mancity.com |language=en}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 28 March 2025}}{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/esme-beth-morgan/478904/ | title=Esme Morgan | website=Soccerway | access-date=27 February 2023 | archive-date=27 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227191706/https://int.soccerway.com/players/esme-beth-morgan/478904// | url-status=live }}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |
| rowspan="3" |Club
! rowspan="3" |Season ! colspan="5" |League ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |National Cup{{efn|Includes the Women's FA Cup, NWSL Challenge Cup}} ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |League Cup ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Continental ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Other ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" |Total |
|---|
| rowspan="2" |Division
! colspan="2" |Regular season ! colspan="2" |Playoffs |
| Apps
!Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
| rowspan="7" |Manchester City
|7 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |3 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |10 |0 |
| 2018–19
|Women's Super League |6 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |3 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |9 |0 |
| 2020–21
|Women's Super League |12 |1 | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 |4 |0 |5{{Efn|Appearances in UEFA Women's Champions League|name=UCL|group=}} |0 |1 |0 |24 |1 |
| 2021–22
|Women's Super League |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |0 |0 |2{{Efn|Appearances in UEFA Women's Champions League|name=UCL|group=}} |0 | colspan="2" |— |4 |0 |
| 2022–23
|Women's Super League |17 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |4 |0 |1{{Efn|Appearances in UEFA Women's Champions League|name=UCL|group=}} |0 | colspan="2" |— |23 |0 |
| 2023–24
|Women's Super League |9 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |15 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Club total
!53 !1 !0 !0 !5 !0 !18 !0 !8 !0 !1 !0 !85 !1 |
| Everton (loan)
|Women's Super League |11 |1 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |13 |1 |
| rowspan="3" |Washington Spirit
|2024 |NWSL |6 |0 |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |9 |0 |
| 2025
|NWSL |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |4 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Club total
!9 !0 !3 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !13 !0 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!73 !2 !3 !0 !6 !0 !20 !0 !8 !0 !1 !0 !111 !2 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 8 April 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | ||
| National Team
!Year !Apps | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|England
|2022 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2" |Total||12||0 |
Honours
Manchester City
Washington Spirit
- NWSL Challenge Cup: 2025{{cite news|url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2025/03/08/recap-short-handed-spirit-wins-2025-nwsl-challenge-cup/|title=Recap: Short-Handed Spirit Wins 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup|date=2025-03-08|publisher=Washington Spirit|access-date=2025-03-08}}
England
- FIFA Women's World Cup runner-up: 2023{{cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Emma |title=England beaten by Spain in Women's World Cup final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66561827 |access-date=20 August 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230820135817/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66561827 |archive-date=20 August 2023}}
- Women's Finalissima: 2023{{Cite news |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=6 April 2023 |title=England beat Brazil on penalties to win Finalissima |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65193111 |access-date=6 April 2023 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128171436/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65193111 |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.englandfootball.com/england/womens-senior-team/squad/Esme-Morgan Esme Morgan] at England Football Association
- {{NWSL player|18d7e7320d2949b083c7315e3831b1a1/esme-morgan}}
- [https://washingtonspirit.com/team-member/esme-morgan/ Profile] at Washington Spirit
- {{Soccerway|esme-beth-morgan/478904}}
{{Washington Spirit squad}}
{{England squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Esme}}
Category:Footballers from Sheffield
Category:English women's footballers
Category:England women's international footballers
Category:England women's under-21 international footballers
Category:Everton F.C. (women) players
Category:Manchester City W.F.C. players
Category:Washington Spirit players
Category:Women's association football defenders
Category:Women's Super League players
Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:21st-century English sportswomen
Category:National Women's Soccer League players
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:English expatriate women's footballers
Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States