Freya Godfrey’s Journey to Success

Freya Godfrey is a 20-year-old footballer who currently plays for London City Lionesses. She has also played for Ipswich, Charlton and her home club, Arsenal. This move to London City Lionesses has not only given her big opportunities in the WSL but has also helped her climb the ranks in her national team.

📸via Poppy Olivia

Where it all began and her successes

Freya’s career kicked off starting at Arsenal academy. She joined the Arsenal academy at the age of 12 scoring 13 times in 18 appearances in the WSL academy league. With Freya’s exceptional talent she was able to break through to the first team in the 23/24 season whilst on a dual registration to Ipswich Town.

On the 11^th of May 2023 Freya made her first professional appearance in the 89^th minute in Arsenals 4-0 win over Brighton Hove Albion. Freya ended up making two appearances before being sent on loan to Charlton Athletic where she made 16 appearances, gaining more experience. She then made her way back to Arsenal in time for the 24/25 season. Back from loan with more experience Freya was ready to become part of this developed squad.

During the first half of the 24/25 season Freya made a total of 1 appearance which was her debut in the champions league against Vålerenga. Her season with Arsenal was cut short as she was sent on loan to the WSL 2 side London City Lionesses. Godfrey’s time at London City Lionesses is a time to remember, it is where she really showed off her skills and why she belongs in that starting 11. In her 8 appearances Freya managed to bag herself a total of 3 assists which helped LCL climb the league table. With all their hard work LCL were able to win the WSL 2 trophy and were promoted to the WSL. The immense success Freya had meant she was permanently signed by LCL and is now one of their star performers.

International performance

Freya has represented the mighty lionesses from an early age starting with the u14 building up to the senior squad. In October 2021 she was one of the players named in the squad which would play in the qualifying matches for 2022. These matches were against Russia, Belgium, and Poland.

Her time with the u17 was short as she was called up to the u19 squad in October 2022. During her time with the u19 she was able to bag two goals against Slovenia in their 5-0 victory. Two more goals came flying in this time against Belarus in a 5-2 win in April of 2023. Freya’s leadership skills became clear and was then chosen to captain the u19 squad in December 2023 in the 3 Algarve cup matches which she scored goals in each fixture. She ended up captaining the squad again in a successful 2024 u19 qualifications as well as snatching two goals in the opening 4-1 victory over Italy.

Progressing from the u19 was more of a struggle even though she proved herself. In October 2024 Freya was called up to the u23 squad in replacement of Missy Goodwin who sustained an injury. This gave Freya the opportunity to prove to everyone she deserved to be in this squad.

Godfrey made her debut on October 29^th as a substitute in the 67^th minute in the 1-0 win over Portugal. Since then, her performances with LCL have been incredible and has cemented her spot in that starting 11. With all these outstanding performances there was only one goal, the senior lionesses squad. Godfrey’s first ever call up for the senior squad came in November 2025 giving her the opportunity to play in two friendlies including one at Wembley stadium.

To see Freya hopefully make her senior debut stay tuned for England v China on November 29^th and England v Ghana on December 2^nd.