When Lucia walked onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, starting for Aston Villa against Arsenal, it marked a milestone in a journey defined by talent, determination and some difficult choices. For Lucia, now a rising star in the Women’s Super League, the past year has been one of big changes and even bigger opportunities. “It’s been a big step moving away from home and into a new team,” Lucia reflects. “But I knew it would help me develop both as a player and as a person. I’ve been enjoying the challenge and can feel myself growing all the time.”

Lucia’s path to professional football wasn’t straightforward. For much of her teenage life, she balanced two sports at an elite level: cricket and football. She represented England in age-group cricket while also making strides with Southampton FC. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” she admits. “For a long time, I thought I’d carry on with cricket. But by 16, I realised I had to choose. I was enjoying football more and was breaking into the first team at Southampton, so that was the moment I committed.”

It proved to be the right call. After progressing through Southampton’s system, Lucia attracted interest from Aston Villa last summer. “They were really forthcoming, and it was clear they wanted me there – not just for now but for the long term,” she says. “That made the decision a no-brainer.”

Life in Birmingham is very different from her rural upbringing. Lucia now lives in the city centre, away from family and the school friends who mostly headed to university. “Of course it’s been a big change,” she admits. “But the team has been really welcoming and I’ve had a lot of support.”

Her week is structured around training – “we’re usually in from nine till three, with meetings, gym sessions and time on the pitch” – and fixtures, which mostly fall on Sundays. Alongside this demanding schedule, she has found time to pursue a degree in psychology with the Open University. “It’s been good to have something outside football to focus on,” she says. “The game can be consuming, so studying helps me switch off and keep a balance.” She makes sure that she stays connected with friends and family whenever she can and has recently rediscovered the joy of playing the piano as a way to unwind.

The women’s game itself is evolving rapidly, something Lucia has been glad to experience first-hand. “Everyone in the top two leagues is now on a full-time wage, and there’s a minimum salary in place. It’s exciting to see how much the game has grown, and it’s only getting better.”

International recognition remains another key ambition for Lucia. Having previously been called up to England’s under-23 camps, she had her sights set on taking the next step in the coming years. That next step came sooner than expected: in October 2025, she was selected for the Lionesses squad to play against Brazil and Australia, an extraordinary achievement and a testament to her hard work and talent. “The ultimate dream is to play for England at a World Cup or European Championship,” she says, and with her recent call-up, that dream looks to be within her grasp.

Looking back, she credits her school with supporting her ambitions during those formative years. “They were brilliant with me,” she remembers. “They understood the demands of training and camps, and I don’t think I would have been able to get here without that flexibility.”

Now, as she establishes herself in the WSL, Lucia is focused on continuing her development. “For me, it’s about solidifying my place in the team, improving every week, and pushing myself to reach that next level,” she says.

Her journey is still in its early stages, yet it already reflects the determination, resilience and quiet ambition that have carried her this far. We look forward with great anticipation to watching her continue to grow in the years ahead.

As published in the OGA Chain 2025.