Leah Galton

Leah Danielle Galton (born 24 May 1994) is an English footballer who currently plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Manchester United.

Leah Galton
Galton playing for Manchester United in 2019
Personal information
Full name Leah Danielle Galton[1]
Date of birth (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994
Place of birth Harrogate, England[2]
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 11
Youth career
Knaresborough Celtic[4]
Harrogate Railway
Leeds United
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Hofstra Pride 82 (48)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Leeds United 33 (8)
2016–2017 Sky Blue FC 30 (5)
2018 Bayern Munich 1 (0)
2018– Manchester United 87 (32)
International career
England U15 0 (0)
2009–2011 England U17 8 (0)
2011 England U19 2 (0)
2016 England U23 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 October 2023

She has previously played for Sky Blue FC in the NWSL, Bayern Munich in Germany, and has represented England from under-15 to under-23 level.

Club career

Youth career

Galton started as a junior at Knaresborough Celtic before a spell at Harrogate Railway. She impressed local Leeds United coaches who recruited her for the academy where she rose through the youth ranks to the senior team. She scored her first senior goal for the team on 12 September 2010, aged 16, in a 4–1 Premier League Cup group stage win against Newcastle United Ladies.[5] In 2012, she won the Ian Taylor Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most deserving young footballer playing within the Harrogate and District FA.[6]

Hofstra Pride

In 2012, she earned a four-year scholarship to play collegiality for Hofstra Pride in America.[7][8] Her 48 goals is the second-highest total in the program's history, her 26 assists tie her for first in total assists and her 122 career points are a program record.[7][9] She is also the only three-time winner of the Colonial Athletic Association player of the year award and was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in her senior year.[9]

Sky Blue FC

In January 2016, Galton was drafted by Sky Blue FC in the second round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.[10][11][12] However, per visa requirements, Galton was unable to join the team until after graduation. On 19 May 2016, she was added to roster.[7] She scored her first goal for the club during her second appearance, an equaliser that helped Sky Blue to a 1–1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars.[13]

Bayern Munich

On 22 December 2017, she signed with German club Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga.[14][15] She made her league debut in a 2–1 win against SGS Essen on 18 February 2018.[16] In March, she stated that she would be taking a break from playing professionally.[17]

Manchester United

On 13 July 2018, it was announced that Galton was joining Manchester United for their inaugural season.[18] She made her competitive debut for Manchester United, as a 59th minute substitute for Kirsty Hanson, in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool on 19 August and her Championship debut in a 12–0 win against Aston Villa on 9 September.[19][20] On 13 December, she scored her first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Everton in the FA WSL Cup.[21] She scored her first league goal in a 5–1 win over fellow title challengers Tottenham Hotspur on 31 March 2019.[22]

On 27 January 2020, Galton signed a new contract with United until the end of the 2020–21 season, with an option for a further year.[23] She was voted FA WSL Player of the Month for December 2020 after scoring in all three of United's games including a brace against Bristol City.[24] On 5 February 2021, Galton signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with Manchester United until 2024 with the option for an additional year.[25]

International career

Galton has been capped internationally for England at under-15, under-17 and under-19 level,[26] and was part of the squad for the 2011 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship.

She was a key player for the under-23s at the 2016 La Manga Tournament which led to her being called up to train with the senior England national team for the first time in August 2016 by Mark Sampson,[27] but had to pull out due to a hip injury.[28] In October 2019, amid good form for Manchester United, it was reported Phil Neville was considering a call-up for Galton. However, she made herself unavailable for international duty and was supported in her decision by club manager Casey Stoney.[29] In February 2022, following discussions with Sarina Wiegman, she affirmed her decision, explaining "It's not anything to do with the setup or the girls. It's more about me having my own time and having a break when everyone else goes around national duty, I need that time to myself. It's something I have noted in my life that I need. Otherwise, I get too stuck into work mode. Then I start not enjoying it."[30]

Personal life

Galton is an ambassador with Sports Recruiting USA alongside Jade Pennock, a Leeds-based company that sends youngsters to America on scholarships.[7][31]

In May 2019, Galton shared photos on social media following her engagement to partner Sheridan Douglas.[32]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 18 October 2023.[33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Europe[lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 2010–11[34] WPL National 1450010—155
2011–12[35] 1930041—234
Total 3380051—389
Sky Blue FC 2016 NWSL 143———143
2017 162———162
Total 3050000—305
Bayern Munich 2017–18 Bundesliga 1010—0020
Manchester United 2018–19 Championship 1432051—214
2019–20 WSL 1240020—144
2020–21 1761030—216
2021–22 2181060—288
2022–23 20103210—2412
2023–24 3100002051
Total 8732721712011335
Career total 15145822222018349
  1. Includes DFB-Pokal and Women's FA Cup
  2. Includes the WPL Cup and Women's League Cup
  3. Includes the UEFA Women's Champions League

Honours

Manchester United

Individual

References
  1. "Baccalaureate Degrees – School of Health Professions and Human Services, Bachelor of Science: May 31, 2016, Degree Candidates" (PDF). May 2016 Commencement Exercises. Hofstra University. May 2016. p. 55. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. White, Ed (19 January 2016). "Harrogate duo Rachel Daly and Leah Galton earn historic draft selection in United States". Harrogate Advertiser. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  3. "21 LEAH GALTON". GoHofstra.com. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  4. White, Ed (22 January 2016). "Leah Galton 'excited' to start life at Sky Blue FC after landmark draft selection". Harrogate Advertiser. Ackrill Media Group. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  5. "Carey-d to win". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.
  6. "LUFC's Leah earns Taylor Trophy". www.northyorkshirenews.com.
  7. Lee, Allison (5 July 2016). "Living her American dreams, Leah Galton excels with Sky Blue FC". Once A Metro. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  8. Westby, Nick (1 September 2018). "Weekend Report: Yorkshire soccer hopes living the American dream". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  9. "ATH: Hofstra Top 10 - #9 – Leah Galton Closes Illustrious Career And Gets Drafted". Hofstra University Athletics.
  10. "Galton, Daly lead a list of 17 area women eligible for next week's NWSL college draft". Big Apple Soccer. 6 January 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  11. "Sky Blue FC Adds Four College Standouts in NWSL Draft – Sky Blue FC".
  12. Slater, Tom (20 May 2016). "Sky Blue activates England's Leah Galton". Empire of Soccer. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  13. "Her First Pro Goal". Big Apple Soccer. 29 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  14. "Forward Leah Galton Signs with FC Bayern Munich". Resolution Promotions. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  15. "Leah Galton leaves Sky Blue FC, signs with FC Bayern Munich". SB Nation. 22 December 2017.
  16. "Bayern München 2–1 SGS Essen". soccerway.com. Soccerway. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  17. "Instagram". 27 March 2018. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021.
  18. "Manchester United include England stars in unveiled women's squad". 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  19. Drudge, Harriet (19 August 2018). "MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL WOMEN 0 UNITED WOMEN 1". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  20. Bath, Adam (9 September 2018). "MATCH REPORT: ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED WOMEN 12". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  21. "Match report Everton Ladies 0 Manchester United Women 3". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  22. "Spurs Ladies 1 United Women 5". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  23. "Leah Galton agrees new contract with Manchester United Women". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  24. Dunn, Carrie (15 January 2021). "Galton and Stoney pick up December WSL awards". Manchester Evening News.
  25. "Leah Galton signs new deal at United". www.manutd.com.
  26. Lee, Allison (5 July 2016). "Living her American dream, Leah Galton excels for Sky Blue FC". Once A Metro.
  27. "LIONESSES SQUAD NAMED FOR A WEEK-LONG TRAINING CAMP". thefa.com. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  28. "Leah Galton pulls out of Lionesses squad for training camp". The Football Association. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  29. "Man Utd's Galton 'not ready' for England". BBC Sport.
  30. Wrack, Suzanne (12 February 2022). "Manchester United's Leah Galton: "You go that extra mile in the derby"". The Guardian.
  31. O'Neill, Jen (30 April 2019). "Sports Recruiting USA – Summer Showcase 2019 Event Details Released". SheKicks.net. Retrieved 20 May 2019. SRUSA ambassador and current professional player with Manchester United, Leah Galton...
  32. @ManUtdLadiesFC (21 May 2019). "Congratulations to @leah_galton21 who has got engaged to her partner #MUWomen #MUFC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. "Leah Galton player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  34. "Leah Galton – Player Stats 2010–11". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  35. "Leah Galton – Player Stats 2011–12". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  36. "Man Utd Women 7-0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  37. "Man Utd forward Leah Galton and manager Marc Skinner win monthly award". Sky Sports. 10 February 2022.
  38. Spencer, Jamie (12 January 2023). "Man Utd land Barclays WSL player & manager awards for December". 90min.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
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