Freya Godfrey
{{Short description|English footballer (born 2005)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Freya Godfrey
| image = Freya Godfrey Ipswich Town Women (sq cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Godfrey with Ipswich Town in 2023.
| fullname = Freya Godfrey
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2005|5|7}}
| birth_place = Essex, England
| height =
| position = Forward / attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Arsenal
| clubnumber = 56
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Arsenal
| years1 = 2023–
| clubs1 = Arsenal
| caps1 = 2
| goals1 = 0
| years2 =
| clubs2 = → Ipswich Town (dual reg)
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2023–2024
| clubs3 = → Charlton Athletic (loan)
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2025-
| clubs4 = → London City Lionesses (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2021
| nationalteam1 = England U16
| nationalyears2 = 2022
| nationalteam2 = England U17
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2022–2024
| nationalteam3 = England U19
| nationalcaps3 = 23
| nationalgoals3 = 12
| nationalyears4 = 2024–
| nationalteam4 = England U23
| nationalcaps4 = 3
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 6 May 2025 {{Soccerway|freya-godfrey/792051}}
| nationalteam-update = 24 April 2025 {{Flashscore|godfrey-freya/QHd2rVt8}}
}}
Freya Godfrey (born 7 May 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Championship club London City Lionesses. She has represented England from under-14 youth level, has captained the England under-19 national team, and currently plays for the under-23s. On loan from Women's Super League club Arsenal, she has previously been on loan to Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic.
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. She impressed at youth level, scoring 13 times in 18 appearances in the WSL Academy League.{{Cite web |title=Freya Godfrey |url=https://www.charltonafc.com/player/235 |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Charlton Athletic F.C. |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530040340/https://www.charltonafc.com/player/235 |url-status=dead }}
Club career
Godfrey played for Ipswich Town in the FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division in the 2022–23 season, while remaining with the Gunners under dual-registration.{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Freya Godfrey joins Charlton Athletic on loan |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/freya-godfrey-joins-charlton-athletic-loan |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Arsenal F.C. |language=en |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120041607/https://www.arsenal.com/news/freya-godfrey-joins-charlton-athletic-loan |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |last=Burhan |first=Asif |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Ipswich Town Seeking To Thwart Former Player In Women’s FA Cup |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/asifburhan/2024/01/12/ipswich-town-seeking-to-thwart-former-player-in-womens-fa-cup/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221234308/https://www.forbes.com/sites/asifburhan/2024/01/12/ipswich-town-seeking-to-thwart-former-player-in-womens-fa-cup/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2023 |title=Watford win Southern Premier title as Oxford miss out |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65520918 |access-date=2024-02-11 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530040404/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65520918 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite news |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Arsenal thrash Brighton to regain third place |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64279737 |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530040405/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64279737 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=28 July 2023 |title=Freya Godfrey joins on loan |url=https://www.charltonafc.com/news/done-deal-freya-godfrey-joins-loan |access-date=2023-08-28 |website= |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |language=en |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806074516/https://www.charltonafc.com/news/done-deal-freya-godfrey-joins-loan |url-status=live }}
In June 2023, Godfrey signed her first professional contract with Arsenal before joining Charlton Athletic on loan in July,{{Cite web |date=2024-02-11 |title=Godfrey delighted to sign first professional deal |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/godfrey-delighted-sign-first-professional-deal |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Arsenal F.C. |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130133815/https://www.arsenal.com/news/godfrey-delighted-sign-first-professional-deal |url-status=live }} saying she "can’t wait to get started,”
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.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Tara |date=2023-12-13 |title=Eight of the best next-gen stars in the Championship |url=https://impetusfootball.org/2023/12/13/eight-of-the-best-next-gen-stars-in-the-championship/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224235639/https://impetusfootball.org/2023/12/13/eight-of-the-best-next-gen-stars-in-the-championship/ |url-status=live }}
In August 2024, BBC journalist Emma Sanders wrote that Bristol City were interested in Godfrey joining on loan,{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=2024-08-02 |title=Believe Arsenal are open to loan moves for Michelle Agyemang, Teyah Goldie & Freya Godfrey to further their development & are looking at options. |url=https://x.com/em_sandy/status/1819399749176316084 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241221111325/https://x.com/em_sandy/status/1819399749176316084 |archive-date=2024-12-21 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=X}} but she remained at Arsenal for the first half of the 2024–25 season before going out on loan to London City Lionesses in January 2025 for the second half of the season.{{Cite web |last=Pinnock |first=Hannah |date=2024-12-20 |title=January 2025 transfer window: 6 WSL players who desperately need a move |url=https://www.90min.com/features/january-2025-transfer-window-6-wsl-players-need-move |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=90min |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=London City Lionesses |date=2025-01-23 |title=Godfrey is a Lioness! |url=https://www.londoncitylionesses.com/post/godfrey-is-a-lioness |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=London City Lionesses |language=en}}
International career
Godfrey has represented England from under-14 to under-19 level.
In October 2021, she was named in the England U17 squad as the number 11,{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Frank |date=October 1, 2021 |title=England women's under-17 squad announced for triple header in Poland |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2021/Oct/01/England-Women-Under-17s-squad-announced-20211001 |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=www.englandfootball.com |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530041905/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2021/Oct/01/England-Women-Under-17s-squad-announced-20211001 |url-status=live }} playing in 2022 U-17 Championship qualification matches against Russia, Belgium and Poland.{{Cite web |last= |date=October 4, 2021 |title=England-Russia* {{!}} Women's Under-17 2022 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2032020--england-vs-russia/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=UEFA |language=en |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129093014/https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2032020--england-vs-russia/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |date=October 7, 2021 |title=England-Belgium {{!}} Women's Under-17 2022 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2032043--england-vs-belgium/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=UEFA |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422122730/https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2032043--england-vs-belgium/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |date=October 10, 2021 |title=Poland-England {{!}} Women's Under-17 2022 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2032066--poland-vs-england/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=UEFA |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416182631/https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2032066--poland-vs-england/ |url-status=live }}
In October 2022, with the under-19s for 2023 U-19 Championship qualification, Godfrey scored two goal against Slovenia in a 5–0 victory.{{Cite web |last= |date=October 5, 2022 |title=England-Slovenia {{!}} Women's Under-19 2023 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2034875--england-vs-slovenia/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=UEFA |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207113532/https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2034875--england-vs-slovenia/ |url-status=live }} In April 2023, she scored another two goals against Belarus in a 5–2 win,{{Cite web |last= |date=April 8, 2023 |title=England-Belarus {{!}} Women's Under-19 2023 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2037162--england-vs-belarus/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=UEFA |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204033220/https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2037162--england-vs-belarus/ |url-status=live }} becoming the team's top goalscorer in qualification.
In December 2023, she captained the under-19 team, scoring in all three Algarve Cup matches. On April 9, 2024, Godfrey again captained the U19 team, this time for successful 2024 U19 Championship qualification,{{Cite web |last= |date=April 3, 2024 |title=England-Switzerland {{!}} Women's Under-19 2024 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2039819--england-vs-switzerland/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=UEFA |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409165251/https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2039819--england-vs-switzerland/ |url-status=live }} as well as scoring the opening two goals in the 4–1 victory over Italy.{{Cite web |last=Vassell |first=Zac |date=April 9, 2024 |title=Report: Italy 1-4 England WU19s |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Apr/09/england-womens-under-19s-italy-match-report-20240904 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.englandfootball.com |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409170951/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Apr/09/england-womens-under-19s-italy-match-report-20240904 |url-status=live }}
In October 2024, Godfrey was called up to the England under-23 squad following the injury to Missy Goodwin.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-10-21 |title=England squad updates: WU23s and WU19s changes |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Oct/20/england-womens-squad-updates-october-international-window-2024 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=England Football |language=en |archive-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112005150/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Oct/20/england-womens-squad-updates-october-international-window-2024 |url-status=live }} On October 29, as 67th minute substitute, she made her debut for the under-23s against Portugal in a 1–0 win.{{Cite web |last=McHugh |first=Beth |date=2024-10-29 |title=Report: England WU23s 1-0 Portugal |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Oct/29/england-womens-under-23-portugal-match-report-2042910#:~:text=Michelle%20Agyemang%20fires%20a%20late,Lionesses%20in%20WU23%20Euro%20League&text=England%20women's%20under-23s%20ended,thanks%20to%20Michelle%20Agyemang's%20winner. |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=England Football |language=en |archive-date=2 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202213128/https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Oct/29/england-womens-under-23-portugal-match-report-2042910#:~:text=Michelle%20Agyemang%20fires%20a%20late,Lionesses%20in%20WU23%20Euro%20League&text=England%20women's%20under-23s%20ended,thanks%20to%20Michelle%20Agyemang's%20winner. |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.charltonafc.com/player/235 Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530040340/https://www.charltonafc.com/player/235 |date=30 May 2024 }} at Charlton Athletic
- {{Soccerway|freya-godfrey/792051}}
{{Arsenal W.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Godfrey, Freya}}
Category:Footballers from Essex
Category:Arsenal W.F.C. players
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. (women) players
Category:Charlton Athletic W.F.C. players
Category:London City Lionesses players
Category:English women's footballers
Category:Women's Super League players
Category:Women's Super League 2 players
Category:Women's association football forwards
Category:Women's association football midfielders