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Katie Zelem

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Katie Zelem
Zelem with Manchester United in 2023
Personal information
Full name Katie Leigh Zelem[1]
Date of birth (1996-01-20) 20 January 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Failsworth, England
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Angel City
Number 4
Youth career
2004–2013 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Liverpool 38 (10)
2017–2018 Juventus 18 (4)
2018–2024 Manchester United 115 (26)
2024– Angel City 10 (0)
International career‡
2010 England U15 2 (0)
2011–2012 England U17 14 (4)
2013–2015 England U19 30 (10)
2014–2016 England U20 6 (0)
2016 England U23 2 (0)
2021– England 12 (0)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  England
FIFA Women's World Cup
Runner-up 2023 Australia and New Zealand
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 September 2023

Katie Leigh Zelem (born 20 January 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League club Angel City and the England women's national team. Zelem previously played for Liverpool where she twice won the WSL in 2013 and 2014, as well as Italian side Juventus, winning Serie A in the 2017-2018 season with the club. She then joined Manchester United, the club she came through the academy of to win the Women's Championship in their inaugural 2018-2019 season and later captained the team to an FA Cup title in 2024.

Zelem has also represented England from U15 to U23 levels, scoring 14 goals in total, prior to making her senior debut in 2021, after previously training with the squad in 2020. With the England senior team, she is a twice Arnold Clark Cup winner as well as a 2023 World Cup runner-up.

Club career

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Early career

[edit]

Zelem started playing football when she was six. At the age of eight, she joined Manchester United Girls' Centre of Excellence.[2] Her youth coach Emma Fletcher said Zelem showed a great attitude and appetite for learning and understanding the game.[3]

Liverpool

[edit]

With no professional setup at United, Zelem joined Liverpool in 2013.[2] She was in the Liverpool squad for the first time on 3 August 2013 when Liverpool lost 3–0 to Arsenal, however, she did not play.[4]

On 11 April 2014, Zelem suffered a broken collarbone, while on international duty for England under-19, and missed the start of the 2014 FA WSL season.[5] After recovering from injury, she made her senior team debut on 29 June 2014, before being substituted for Nina Frausing-Pedersen in the 58th minute, in a 1–0 defeat against Arsenal in the FA WSL.[6] A week later, Zelem scored her first senior goals in a 7–1 win against Durham in the Continental Cup.[7] She scored two headers, both assisted by Lucy Bronze.

On 12 October 2014, Zelem was an unused substitute in Liverpool's win against Bristol City, as they retained the FA WSL title after a dramatic final day of the season.[8] In November 2014, Zelem was nominated by The FA for the WSL Development Player of the Year, alongside Carla Humphrey and Natasha Baptiste.[9] In the same month, Zelem was named Liverpool's Young Player of the Year.[10] Liverpool coach Matt Beard praised Zelem, likening her to Frank Lampard and stating she has great career in the future.[11] In December, Zelem signed a new contract.[12]

In November 2015, Zelem penned a new contract with Liverpool.[13]

Juventus

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In August 2017, she moved to Juventus for an undisclosed fee.[14] On 9 September, Zelem scored her first goal, on her competitive debut, for Juventus in an 8–0 win over Torino in the Coppa Italia.[15] Zelem played a total of four games, scoring two goals in the competition as Juventus lost 1–0 to Brescia in the quarter-final on 2 May 2018.[16][17][18]

On 30 September 2017, Zelem made her first Serie A appearance as a substitute in the club's inaugural match, a 3–0 win at Atalanta.[19] Three weeks later, Zelem scored her first league goal in a 4–1 win against Empoli.[20] On 20 May 2018, Juventus won the Serie A title in their first ever season in existence after defeating Brescia in a penalty shoot-out in the Championship playoff.[21] Zelem left at the end of the campaign.[22]

Manchester United

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Zelem playing in an FA Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019.

In July 2018, Zelem joined Manchester United for their inaugural season in the FA Women's Championship for the 2018–19 season, one of seven players to return to the senior side having played for the club at youth level.[23][24] She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against former club Liverpool on 19 August.[25] In the opening game of the 2018–19 Championship season, she scored her first goal for United, on her league debut, from the penalty spot in a 12–0 win away to Aston Villa.[26] Zelem was voted FA Women's Championship Player of the Month for March 2019.[27] At the end of the season, Zelem was named Manchester United Women's Player of the Year.[28] In doing so, she became the first player to win the award.

Following the departure of Alex Greenwood in August 2019, Zelem was named as club captain ahead of the 2019–20 season.[29] Zelem scored her first goal of the season, a penalty, in Manchester United's 2–0 WSL win against Liverpool on 28 September.[30] In a 1–1 draw against Reading on 2 February 2020, a penalty was awarded against Zelem after she was penalised for a handball, despite the ball hitting her head, leading to criticism of the standard of refereeing.[31][32]

Zelem (centre) playing for Manchester United against Lewes in 2023.

Across two consecutive games in 2022, Zelem scored three Olympico goals directly from corner kicks, one during a 1–4 exit to Manchester City in the FA Cup and two in a 4–0 WSL victory over Leicester City.[33]

On 17 February 2024, Zelem played her 150th match for Manchester United, featuring in a 3–1 league defeat to Arsenal.[34][35] She left the club at the end of the 2023–24 season, at the expiration of her contract. At the time of her departure, Zelem was the third-highest goalscorer for United and had made the second-most appearances for the club behind Ella Toone.[36][37]

Angel City

[edit]

On 12 August 2024, Angel City announced the signing of Zelem on a contract through to the end of 2026.[38][39] Zelem made her NWSL debut for Angel City on 24 August 2024 in an away match against San Diego Wave, closing out the match to secure a 2–1 victory.[40] Zelem recorded her first assist for Angel City on 12 October 2024, setting up former Manchester United teammate Christen Press' first goal since returning from a two-year ACL injury, in an 1–1 draw away against North Carolina Courage.[41]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Zelem made her youth debut for England for the under-15s when she played against Netherlands in March 2010.[42] In August 2013, Zelem was part of the England under-19 team who finished as runners-up to France at the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Wales.[43]

In February 2014, Zelem was named in the England under-19 squad for the 2014 La Manga Tournament in March.[44] In August, she represented England under-20 at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada.[45] Coached by Mo Marley, Zelem was used as the playmaker of England's midfield. After draws with South Korea and Mexico, England failed to progress to the knock-out stage after being defeated by eventual finalists Nigeria 2–1 in the final group game.[46] In July 2015, Zelem was named in the England under-19 squad for the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Israel.[47] England finished bottom of group B and did not progress.

Senior

[edit]

After her youth career, Zelem was not called into the senior squad for several years, but impressed Phil Neville after being named captain of Manchester United, receiving her first call into senior training in September 2020.[48] Part of a 30-player training camp at St George's Park,[49][50] she was later forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.[51][52] Having been an unused substitute in three previous 2023 World Cup qualifying matches under new manager Sarina Wiegman, Zelem made her England debut on 30 November 2021 as a 71st-minute substitute during an England-record 20–0 win against Latvia.[53] Zelem was named as part of England's 28-player preliminary squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2022,[54] but did not make the final squad.[55]

On 18 November 2022, her England legacy number was announced as number 221,[56] and in May 2023, she was named in England's squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July that year.[57]

Style of play

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Speaking in 2014, Martha Harris, Zelem's best friend and Liverpool teammate, rated Zelem as "a very cheeky player [who is] clever on the pitch but is also a risk taker".[58] She began her career as a winger, developing this under the Italian style while playing for Juventus to fit more into a central role when returning to Manchester.[48] She is described as an attacking midfielder with two good feet, who can pick a pass out and finish as well.[59] In the England squad, Zelem has instead been utilised as a defensive midfielder.[60]

Personal life

[edit]

Born in Failsworth, Zelem is the daughter of former Macclesfield goalkeeper Alan Zelem, whose twin brother is former professional footballer Peter Zelem.[61][62] She was educated at The Blue Coat School, Oldham.[63]

Zelem greatly admired Fara Williams, who became her role model in developing the game as a midfielder. Zelem considered herself fortunate that she can learn and play alongside a hard-working figure like Williams.[64]

On 12 July 2023, Zelem was elected to the PFA Players' Board, taking over from Manchester City's Steph Houghton, who stepped down.[65]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
As of match played 1 November 2024[66]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Continental[c] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool 2014 WSL 1 7 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 9 3
2015 9 0 0 0 6 0 2 0 17 0
2016 15 6 0 0 2 0 2 0 19 6
2017 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 3
Total 38 10 0 0 10 2 4 0 52 12
Juventus 2017–18 Serie A 18 4 4 2 0 0 0 0 22 6
Manchester United 2018–19 Championship 18 10 2 0 6 1 — 26 11
2019–20 WSL 14 5 1 0 6 2 — 21 7
2020–21 18 2 2 0 3 0 — 23 2
2021–22 22 5 2 1 5 1 — 29 7
2022–23 21 3 5 0 4 0 — 30 3
2023–24 22 1 5 0 3 1 2 0 32 2
Total 115 26 17 1 27 5 2 0 161 32
Angel City FC 2024 NWSL 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Career total 181 40 21 3 37 7 6 0 245 50
  1. ^ Includes the Italian Women's Cup and Women's FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes the WSL Cup/Women's League Cup
  3. ^ Includes the UEFA Women's Champions League

International

[edit]
As of match played 26 September 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2021 1 0
2022 4 0
2023 7 0
Total 12 0

Honours

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Liverpool[66]

Juventus[66]

Manchester United

England

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "List of Players – England" (PDF). FIFA. 4 August 2014. p. 5. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b Duncker, Charlotte (28 December 2018). "From Manchester United to Liverpool FC via Juventus and back again: How Katie Zelem defied her childhood critics". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Katie Zelem – Season Review 2011/12". Manchester United Foundation. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Liverpool vs. Arsenal – 3 August 2013 – Soccerway". Soccerway. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Zelem out for 6–8 weeks". Liverpool FC. 11 April 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  6. ^ "Liverpool Ladies 0 – 1 Arsenal Ladies". Liverpool L.F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Durham Women FC 1 – 7 Liverpool Ladies". Liverpool L.F.C. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  8. ^ Leighton, Tony (12 October 2014). "Liverpool Ladies pip Chelsea to WSL title on dramatic final day". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Liverpool Ladies midfielder Katie Zelem is overwhelmed with her nomination for Women's Super League Development Player of the Year". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Ladies host awards night at Anfield". Liverpool FC. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  11. ^ "Women's football: Liverpool Ladies boss hails midfielder Katie Zelem's potential". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  12. ^ "Katie Zelem signs new Liverpool deal". The Football Association. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Liverpool Ladies trio pen new contracts". Liverpool F.C. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  14. ^ "Katie Zelem joins Juventus Women". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Juve Women hit eight in competitive home debut". Juventus. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Women: la Juve vince e va al terzo turno di Coppa Italia" (in Italian). Juventus FC. 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  17. ^ "Coppa Italia Women: la Juve vola" (in Italian). Juventus FC. 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  18. ^ "Women, a Vinovo vince il Brescia 1–0: Juve fuori dalla Coppa Italia" (in Italian). il BiancoNero. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
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  26. ^ "MATCH REPORT: ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED WOMEN 12". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  27. ^ a b Plant, Michael (10 April 2019). "Zelem Wins March Player of the Month Award". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  28. ^ a b Higgins, Adam (9 May 2019). "Zelem Is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  29. ^ "Man Utd Women announce new captain ahead of the 201920 season". www.manutd.com.
  30. ^ Bostock, Adam (28 September 2019). "Manchester United Women 2 Liverpool 0". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  31. ^ "Women's Super League: Officiating criticised after Manchester United penalty decision". BBC Sport. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  32. ^ Theivam, Kieran (21 February 2020). "What is the FA doing about refereeing standards in the women's game?". The Athletic. Retrieved 16 September 2020.(subscription required)
  33. ^ Spencer, Jamie (5 March 2022). "The 'genius' of Katie Zelem - three goals direct from corners in two games". 90min.com.
  34. ^ Hodges, Zoe (20 February 2024). "Zelem 150: Katie's road to a landmark game". Manchester United W.F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  35. ^ Pozzoli, Martina (25 February 2024). "Katie Zelem nella storia del Manchester United". L Football (in Italian). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Zelem leaves United Women". Manchester United W.F.C. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  37. ^ Smith, Emma (27 June 2024). "Manchester United: Katie Zelem leaves after contract expires". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  38. ^ "Angel City Signs England WNT Midfielder Katie Zelem". Angel City FC. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Angel City sign England's Zelem after Man Utd exit". BBC Sport. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Angel City 2-1 San Diego (Aug 24, 2024) Lineups". ESPN. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  41. ^ Lauletta, Dan (14 October 2024). "Christen Press says scoring again was 'like an out-of-body experience' – Equalizer Soccer". equalizersoccer.com. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  42. ^ "TheFA.com – Katie Zelem". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017.
  43. ^ "Women's Under-19 – England-France". UEFA. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  44. ^ Glenn, Lavery (13 February 2014). "Mo Marley names England Women's U19 squad for La Manga Tournament". The Football Association. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  45. ^ Lavery, Glenn (1 July 2014). "Mo Marley names England squad for Women's U20 World Cup". thefa.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  46. ^ "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 – Group C". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  47. ^ Stonehouse, Gary (6 July 2015). "England Women's Under-19s depart for Israel as the countdown to their European Championship kick-off begins". The Football Association. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  48. ^ a b Veevers, Nicholas (9 September 2020). "With eight new faces in the England squad, find out a bit more about each of them". The Football Association.
  49. ^ Association, The Football. "Phil Neville will gather a 30-strong England squad for September training camp". www.thefa.com.
  50. ^ "England Women name Katie Zelem and Rinsola Babajide among seven new call-ups". Sky Sports.
  51. ^ "Man Utd Women captain Katie Zelem tests positive for Covid-19". www.manutd.com.
  52. ^ Association, The Football. "Katie Zelem and Lucy Bronze out of Lionesses squad as Izzy Christiansen joins up". www.thefa.com.
  53. ^ "Women's World Cup Qualifying: England 20-0 Latvia". BBC Sport. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  54. ^ "Women's Euros 2022: England name Steph Houghton in provisional squad". BBC Sport. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  55. ^ "Steph Houghton: Former England captain left out of squad for women's Euros". BBC Sport. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  56. ^ "England woen's legacy and results archive". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  57. ^ "England Women's World Cup squad: Beth Mead left out, Beth England in". BBC Sport. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  58. ^ "Who's Who in the England squad with Martha Harris". Girls on the Ball. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  59. ^ "Katie Zelem Player Profile, Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool Ladies FC. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019.
  60. ^ Lucas, Katherine (16 February 2023). "England kick off the Arnold Clark Cup with 4-0 victory and a valuable lesson for the World Cup". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  61. ^ Bandini, Nicky (9 October 2017). "Katie Zelem: 'My agent said Juventus are interested. I just thought: Wow'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  62. ^ "Silkmen A-Z: Alan Zelem – News – Macclesfield Town". Macclesfield Town. 30 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  63. ^ "Lioness Katie ready to roar". www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  64. ^ "Katie Zelem". Sports Aid. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  65. ^ "Lioness Katie Zelem joins PFA Players' Board". Professional Footballers' Association. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  66. ^ a b c "Katie Zelem player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  67. ^ "Man Utd Women 7–0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  68. ^ Sanders, Emma (12 May 2024). "Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  69. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (14 May 2023). "Chelsea claim FA Cup hat-trick after Sam Kerr sees off Manchester United". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  70. ^ 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.
  71. ^ "England 3 - 1 Germany". BBC Sport. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  72. ^ "England 6-1 Belgium: Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup with win over Belgium". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  73. ^ "Katie Zelem March Goal of the Month". Barclays FA WSL Twitter. 7 April 2022. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022.
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