Steph Houghton: The Biography

Steph Houghton's journey from a young girl with big dreams to a celebrated football legend is a story of resilience, leadership, and commitment to the sport. Born in Durham on April 23, 1988, Houghton began her career in her native North East England, where she joined Sunderland's youth team as a striker. With a natural talent and relentless work ethic, Houghton quickly rose through the ranks, even after Sunderland's relegation. She went on to win the FA Young Player of the Year Award in 2006-07 and caught the attention of top clubs across England.

In 2007, she joined Leeds Carnegie, where she continued her ascent in women's football, eventually helping them secure the FA Women's Premier League Cup in 2010. But it was her transfer to Arsenal in 2010 that marked a turning point in her career. At Arsenal, she won two FA WSL titles, two FA Women's Cups, and three FA WSL Cups. The shift also saw her move from an attacking role to a commanding presence in defense, where she thrived and made her name as one of the most formidable centre-backs in the sport.