Who is England's rising star Agyemang?

BBC News

09-04-2025

Michelle Agyemang was just 41 seconds into her England debut when she controlled the ball on her thigh and unleashed a volley which smashed into the top corner.It was the stuff of dreams for the 19-year-old, even though her incredible goal could not save an England side beaten 3-2 by Belgium in the Nations League.Her next goal is to secure a place in Sarina Wiegman's squad for Euro 2025 this summer. The BBC Sport Ask me Anything team take a look at the Lionesses' rising star - from her academy days to first-team football.
Joining Arsenal at the age of six
Agyemang is a lifelong Arsenal fan and joined the club's academy at the age of six, after her father, a grassroots football coach, secured her a trial.She initially played as a defender but developed into a forward.Agyemang played through the age categories and moved into the first-team set-up, making her debut in 2022 aged 16.Former Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie told the Women's Football Weekly podcast Agyemang was a natural goalscorer."She is unreal," said Beattie."She was an academy player when I was at Arsenal and she used to come up to training and was sometimes involved in match squads."Beattie said that Arsenal's players quickly saw the type of goalscoring quality Agyemang showed against Belgium."I kid you not - she would do that in training," Beattie said. "She is an incredible box player, an unbelievable finisher. She doesn't need more than one or two touches, exactly what you saw against Belgium."After a handful of first-team appearances, she was loaned out to Women's Championship side Watford for the 2023-24 season.Agyemang scored five goals in 10 appearances at Watford, and back at Arsenal was rewarded with her first professional contract.The 19-year-old joined Brighton on loan in September, and has scored three goals in 19 appearances.
Lionesses journey
Agyemang's rise through the England ranks has reflected her growth at club level.She has made 25 age-group appearances for the national team - from the under-16s to the under-23s.Now, after a whirlwind few days, she has her first senior England cap and goal.She had scored for the Under-19s in their 5-1 win against Austria on Saturday and then learned she was heading to Belgium after being called up to the senior squad on Sunday to replace the injured Alessia Russo.Agyemang told BBC Sport it had been "a crazy 10 days"."Coming with the Under-19s, playing in the Euros round two, coming over here for the seniors, it has been a really good experience and I'm really grateful for the opportunity," she said."Both the team and the coaches, everyone has been really welcoming, everyone back in England and here in Belgium, I've felt the love from everyone and you can see it from the performance on the pitch I felt like myself and confident."This is the level I want to play at, week in week out, at club as well, making sure I do everything I can to get back here again and help the team get ready for the Euros as well."
'Take her to the Euros' - what have others said?
Wiegman was full of praise for Agyemang after the match."That goal was just incredible. The composure, the first touch and the second touch. For her, it was really nice that she comes on and within a minute she has the moment," she said.England captain Leah Williamson said: "I think the first training session at Arsenal she hit me hard enough to remember her name. I'm delighted for her."Beattie added: "She has made a name for herself now. There is no better intro to a senior squad than that in an international debut."Ellen White - the Lionesses record goalscorer - described Agyemang as "a phenomenal talent". "Take her to the Euros," she said. "There is some excitement, something different and something fresh."
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