MANCHESTER UNITED captain Katie Zelem is representing England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The football star, from Oldham, has travelled to Australia and New Zealand as part of Sarina Wiegman‘s squad at the tournament.
Manchester United captain Katie Zelem is playing for England in the 2023 Women’s World CupNaomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Who is England midfielder Katie Zelem?
Katie Zelem is an English footballer.
She was born on January 20, 1996.
In a 2023 interview with The Sun, Katie revealed she is studying a Masters in sports business.
Katie, who trains up to six times a week, has said that her guilty pleasure is Oreo milkshake.
What teams has Katie Zelem played for?
Katie joined Manchester United Girls’ Centre of Excellence when she was just eight years old.
In 2013, when there was not yet a professional set up at United, she joined Liverpool.
Katie suffered a broken collarbone in early 2014, delaying her debut for Liverpool’s senior team.
She then played for the squad for the first time in June 2014.
In August 2017, Katie moved to Italian side Juventus.
Zelem returned to the UK in 2018 and joined Manchester United for their first season in the FA Women’s Championship.
Ahead of the 2019/ 2020 season, Zelem was named as club captain.
She took over from Alex Greenwood who departed the team in August 2019.
How long has Katie Zelem played for England?
Zelem made her youth debut for England in March 2010.
She played for the first time – against the Netherlands – in the under-15s squad, and has also represented England in the under-19 and under-20 teams.
Katie was not immediately made part of the senior England squad after her youth career.
But after becoming captain of Manchester United, then-manager Phil Neville invited her to England’s senior training in September 2020.
For the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022, Zelem was named for the preliminary squad but did not make the final team.
In May 2023, she was confirmed for the Women’s World Cup.
She travelled to Australia and New Zealand in July 2023 with teammates including Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Laura Coombs, and Jess Carter.
Ahead of the tournament, Katie revealed to The Sun that she has a pre-game ritual that includes putting on her right shin pad on before her left.
She also puts her right boot on first.
In their first game of the 2023 World Cup the Lionesses enjoyed success, beating Haiti 1-0.
Their second match was then scheduled against Denmark.