Wikipedia

Missy Bo Kearns

Missy Bo Kearns (born 14 April 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Women's Super League club Aston Villa and captains the England under-23 team. With Liverpool, she was a Championship winner and has twice been awarded Women's Player of the Season. Kearns previously represented England at under-17 and under-19 youth levels.

Missy Bo Kearns
Kearns with Liverpool in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-04-14) 14 April 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Liverpool, England[1]
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Aston Villa
Number 7
Youth career
Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2024 Liverpool 79 (11)
2019–2020 → Blackburn Rovers (loan) 3 (0)
2024– Aston Villa 7 (0)
International career‡
2018 England U17 10 (1)
2019–2021 England U19 6 (1)
2021– England U23 18 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 April 2024

Early life

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Kearns was born on 14 April 2001 in Liverpool, England. She grew up supporting Liverpool and regularly attended their matchday.[2] Kearns joined Liverpool's youth academy when she was eight years old[3] after being scouted as the only girl playing in the local grassroots team Mossley Hill, alongside future Liverpool player Curtis Jones.[4]

Club career

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Kearns made her first team debut for Liverpool in March 2019 against Chelsea. She signed her first professional contract with the club in January 2020 and joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season,[5] making a total of three appearances for the club.[6]

Kearns saw a significant increase game time during the 2020–21 season and established herself as a first team regular for Liverpool towards the second half of the season.[7] On 17 January 2021, she scored her first senior goal for the club in a 2–1 league loss against Leicester City.[8] At the end of the 2020–21 season, Kearns won the Standard Chartered Women's Player of the Season and was voted the fan's player of the year.[9]

 
Kearns (left) playing for Liverpool against Lewes, 1 May 2022.

On 13 October 2021, at the age of 20, she became the youngest player to ever captain the side in a 2021–22 League Cup match against Aston Villa.[10][11] She would go on to captain the side again in the competition against Blackburn Rovers a month later in a 2–1 victory.[12]

In May 2023, Kearns won the Women's Football Awards Young Player of the Year award,[13] being recognised as one of the WSL's brightest young talents alongside Lauren James.[14] In June, she again won the LFC Women's Player of the Season award for the 2022–23 season.[15]

In August 2023, she signed a contract extension with Liverpool,[16] and was nominated for the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year Award.[17] In November 2023, she was named Women’s Rising Star at the Northwest Football Awards.[18]

In May 2024, Kearns was awarded The PFA Community Champions Award alongside outgoing men's manager Jürgen Klopp and men's first team captain Virgil Van Dijk for their work in the community.[19]

On 1 August 2024, Kearns departed from Liverpool and signed a three-year contract with fellow Women's Super League club Aston Villa.[20][21][22]

International career

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Kearns currently captains the England under-23s,[23] having played for the U17s and U19s.

On 16 March 2018, Kearns was named as part of the England under-17s squad for 2018 U-17 Championship qualification.[24] She made her youth international debut on 25 March 2018, coming on as a substitute against Slovenia in a 0–0 draw.[25] Her debut goal came three days later against Switzerland in a 4–0 win.[26] In May 2018, Kearns was named as part of the squad for the final tournament,[27] where she was forced off injured during the knock-out stage.[28]

On 30 September 2019, Kearns was named in the England under-19s squad for the 2020 U-19 Championship first qualifying round.[29] She played in each match as England reached the elite qualifying round, after winning all their first round qualification matches.[30] The final tournament was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] On 6 March 2020, Kearns scored her first goal for the U19 team, an equaliser as a second-half substitute against Sweden in La Manga Tournament.[32]

On 12 October 2021, Kearns was named as part of the England under-23s squad for a fixture against Belgium,[33] playing as a substitute in the match.[34] On 30 November, as part of the starting eleven with the under-23s, she scored a hat-trick in an 11–0 win over Estonia.[35]

From February to October 2022, Kearns played in U23 fixtures against France, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden,[36] as well as scoring goals against France and Norway.[37]

It's a massive thing captaining your country and I'm fortunate enough to be given the opportunity. We've got a good group of girls and I think it's a good thing for me at this stage in my career to have that bit of extra responsibility and to be a character in and around the team.

Missy Bo Kearns, November 2023[23]

On 20 February 2023 she scored the opening goal in a 4–0 victory over Belgium[38] and a winning goal in injury time against Portugal in a 3–2 win.[39] In September 2023, Kearns was named as part of the U23 squad for fixtures in a new U23 European League,[40][41] where she would go on to captain the team in a 1–1 draw against Norway and a 4–0 win against Belgium.[42] For the remainder of 2023, she continued to captain the team in U23 European League fixtures against Italy, Portugal, France and Spain,[43] with the team ending 2023 unbeaten.[44][45]

In May 2024, Kearns was named in the stand-by squad for the England senior team for their UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying fixtures in summer 2024.[46] In October, she was selected for the England under-23 team for European fixtures against Netherlands and Portugal.[47]

Personal life

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Kearns is a lifelong Liverpool fan[9] and her idol is their former player Steven Gerrard. She is also a big fan of Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez.[23]

On 27 January 2024, Kearns became an ambassador for the LFC Foundation, the official charity of Liverpool F.C.[48]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 5 October 2024[6]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool 2018–19 Women's Super League 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2019–20 Women's Super League 0 0 0 0 3 1 3 1
2020–21 Championship 15 2 1 0 3 0 19 2
2021–22 Championship 19 4 2 0 5 0 26 4
2022–23 Women's Super League 22 4 1 0 5 1 28 5
2023–24 Women's Super League 20 1 2 0 2 0 24 0
Total 79 11 6 0 18 2 103 12
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2019–20 Championship 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Aston Villa 2024–25 Women's Super League 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
Career total 85 11 6 0 19 2 110 12
  1. ^ Includes Women's FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes FA Women's League Cup

Honours

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Liverpool

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "7 Missy Bo Kearns Midfielder". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  2. ^ "'I don't think it's sunk in that I'm a Liverpool player' - Reds star Missy Bo Kearns is living the dream | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  3. ^ "lfc_fixture_women_player_profile". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Liverpool-born Missy Bo Kearns proud to represent Reds, hopes to inspire young girls". Yahoo News. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Missy Bo Kearns signs first professional contract with Liverpool FC Women". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b "England - M. Kearns - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
  7. ^ "Missy Bo Kearns wins Standard Chartered Women's Player of the Season". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Liverpool vs. Leicester City WFC - 17 January 2021 - Soccerway". my.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Missy Bo Kearns - Midfield". liverpoolf.com.
  10. ^ "Missy Bo Kearns: Captain at 20, taking 'undefendable' corners in front of Alexander-Arnold and living her dream". theathletic.com.
  11. ^ Shaw, Chris (13 October 2021). "LFC Women win penalty shootout in Continental League Cup opener". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  12. ^ Shaw, Chris (17 November 2021). "LFC Women top Continental League Cup group by beating Blackburn". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Missy Bo Kearns named Young Player of the Year at Women's Football Awards - Liverpool FC". Liverpool FC. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  14. ^ Lindop, Beth; Feringa, Megan (26 May 2023). "Missy Bo Kearns named Young Player of the Year at Women's Football Awards". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b Beasley, Andrew (13 June 2023). "Missy Bo Kearns wins LFC Women's 2022-23 Player of the Season award - Liverpool FC". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  16. ^ Kelly, Andy (10 August 2023). "Missy Bo Kearns signs contract extension with Liverpool FC Women - Liverpool FC". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Missy Bo Kearns nominated for PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award". Liverpool Football Club Official. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Missy Bo Kearns named Women's Rising Star at Northwest Football Awards - Liverpool FC". www.liverpoolfc.com. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Trio Receive Recognition For Community Work". Liverpool Football Club Official. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Missy Bo Kearns to leave Liverpool FC Women - Liverpool FC". www.liverpoolfc.com. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  21. ^ Club, Aston Villa Football (1 August 2024). "Aston Villa Women confirm Missy Bo Kearns signing". Aston Villa Football Club. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Villa sign Liverpool midfielder Kearns". BBC Sport. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Hayden, Bradley (1 November 2023). "Liverpool star targeting England role like idol Steven Gerrard". talkSPORT. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Young Lionesses unleashed". www.thefa.com. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  25. ^ "England-Slovenia | Women's Under-17 2018". UEFA.com. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  26. ^ "England-Switzerland | Women's Under-17 2018". UEFA.com. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Young Lionesses unleashed". www.thefa.com. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Germany 8-0 England". www.thefa.com. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  29. ^ "England squad named for UEFA Women's U19 Championship first qualifying round". www.thefa.com. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  30. ^
  31. ^ "Women's Under-19 finals in Georgia cancelled | Women's Under-19". UEFA.com. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Emma Coates' Young Lionesses lose out to late goal against Sweden in La Manga". www.thefa.com. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  33. ^ Taylor, Wendy (12 October 2021). "England Women's U23s squad named for Belgium trip in October 2021". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  34. ^ Smith, Frank (25 October 2021). "Belgium 0-1 England WU23s". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  35. ^ Smith, Frank (30 November 2021). "Match report: England WU23s 11-0 Estonia". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  36. ^
  37. ^
  38. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (20 February 2023). "Report: England WU23s 4-1 Belgium". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  39. ^ Smith, Frank (6 April 2023). "Report: Portugal 2-3 England WU23". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  40. ^ McHugh, Beth (14 September 2023). "England WU23s squad named for September double-header". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  41. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (6 July 2023). "England WU23s' new season schedule revealed". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  42. ^
  43. ^
  44. ^ McHugh, Beth (4 December 2023). "England WU23s unbeaten throughout 2023 following Spain draw". England Football. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  45. ^ Shaw, Chris (4 December 2023). "Internationals: Missy Bo Kearns captains England U23s to unbeaten year - Liverpool FC". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  46. ^ Sanders, Emma (14 May 2024). "England recall fit-again Bright for Euro qualifiers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  47. ^ McHugh, Beth (16 October 2024). "England WU23 squad named for October games". England Football. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  48. ^ "Missy Bo Kearns becomes official LFC Foundation ambassador - Liverpool FC". Liverpool FC. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  49. ^ Shaw, Chris (25 May 2021). "Missy Bo Kearns wins Standard Chartered Women's Player of the Season". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
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