City will have 11 representatives at this summer’s tournament, sporting the colours of England, Sweden, Norway and Spain.
As we build-up to the highly-anticipated competition, which will be played across ten English venues from 6 to 13 July, including the Academy Stadium, we shine the spotlight on our Blue stars.
Today, we place the focus on our technically gifted midfielder Keira Walsh…
PLAYER PROFILE
Position: Midfielder
Birthplace: Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Date of Birth: 8 April 1997
Age: 25
Height: 5’ 6” (168cm)
APPEARANCES
City: 209
Senior debut: v Notts County Ladies, 17 July 2014
Goals: 8
International: 40 (England), 3 (Team GB)
Senior debut: v Kazakhstan, 28 November 2017
Senior goals: 0
HONOURS
City: FA Women’s Super League Champion (2016), FA Cup winner (2017, 2019, 2020), Continental Cup winner (2014, 2016, 2018/19, 2021/22), earned ‘double century’ status after reaching 200 Club appearances in March 2022
International: SheBelieves Cup winner (2019), Arnold Clark Cup winner (2020), represented Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games
ABOUT KEIRA
Since making her debut for City as a teenager in 2014, Walsh has become one of the most talented defensive midfielders in the world and a trusted name for Club and country.
Mancunian through and through, Walsh’s childhood was marked by regular visits to watch her City idols.
During her illustrious career so far, the 25-year-old has won three FA Cups, four Continental Cups and the FA Women’s Super League title, playing a fundamental role in each of those triumphs.
A playmaker of the highest calibre, Walsh contributes to both the defensive and offensive sides of City’s game by distributing and maintaining possession.
Admired for her passion, leadership and technical ability, several members of Gareth Taylor’s squad have praised her work ethic and extraordinary passing range.
Last season, Walsh produced a slew of influential performances and made her 200th Club appearance in March 2022 against Reading – making her the second female player to reach ‘double century’ status after skipper Steph Houghton.
Internationally, the midfielder began competing for England in 2009, first in the under-15 bracket, then for the under-17 squad where she helped her side reach the knockout stages in the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship.
Since receiving the senior squad call-up in 2017, the Manchester-native has worn the England shirt 40 times and was handed the captain’s armband in England’s 6-0 win over Kazakhstan in September 2018 – in only her seventh appearance for her country. The midfielder was also an integral member of the ‘Lionesses’ that placed fourth in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Tireless, centred and down-to-earth, Walsh is regarded as a leader within both the City and international squads, setting an example for younger players.
Well-respected for her technical and tactical prowess, ex-City women’s manager Nick Cushing said: “She is the most intelligent player I’ve worked with. Her ability to manage the game and play the game, solving problems from that position in the number six role is really key. She’s incredible and always has been.”
Will Walsh celebrate yet another career milestone with a Euros medal in the middle of July?
FIXTURES
England v Austria
Wednesday 6 July, 20:00
Old Trafford, Manchester
BBC One
England v Norway
Monday 11 July, 20:00
American Express Community Stadium, Brighton
BBC
Northern Ireland v England
Friday 15 July, 20:00
St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
BBC
