The story of Freya Godfrey’s breakout season in the BWSL 

London City Lionesses Winger creating all the right headlines

A consistent starter building continent-high attacking starts, it’s been a remarkable campaign for London City Lioness Freya Godfrey

On 9 November 2025, Remembrance Day, London City Lionesses fans were about to witness a performance they wouldn’t forget. And it wasn’t from Nikita Parris, making her 200th WSL appearance.

The game – with Tottenham the visitors – was just eight minutes old when City struck first. Freya Godfrey was waiting in the penalty box calm, composed and collected. A corner was cleared in her direction and found the 20 year old in the right place at the right time. In front of her were a mass of bodies. Chaos. Rather than thrash at the ball or rush her shot, though, she expertly guided the ball with her first touch through the crowd of players to net her first goal in the BWSL.

Seventy-six minutes later, after having added an assist, came a different type of goal. This time, Godfrey collected the ball on the right and, after a step over that sent her opponent in the wrong direction, she cut onto her left foot and curled a shot into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.

Hayes Lane erupted as London City Lionesses went two goals ahead against their London rivals, securing a vital win in the derby…. and a star was born. Godfrey was Player of the Match, her second goal nominated for Goal of the Month, and it proved that she was worthy of a place at the nation’s top table.

Stepping up with ease

Godfrey came into the 2025-26 BWSL season already a star in her new club’s eyes. Her loan spell with the London City Lionesses from Arsenal in the second half of last season – in which she made eight appearances – had been exemplary, with Godfrey described as a ‘crucial part’ of the club’s BWSL2 title-winning campaign.

Not surprisingly, the Lionesses didn’t want Godfrey to leave, and they signed the youngster on a three-year deal last July.

“Signing Freya was a priority,” said assistant coach Jocelyn Prêcheur. “She has everything to become one of the best strikers in England."

For Godfrey, leaving the Gunners on a permanent basis for the first time was a tough decision, but an essential one in order for her to get more game time.

“To just have consistent minutes where I can actually start to get in my flow and get my confidence, I’m grateful for that, and grateful to have the game-time,” she told Forbes earlier in the season.

Godfrey has not only been trusted enough to play, she’s become a key player for Eder Maestre’s side. A frequent starter, she has recorded four goals and four assists in 15 BWSL appearances this season, one of only four players aged under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues to do so.

Her form has been a key reason why the side has managed to not just survive, but more recently thrive, in the top flight.

Magic moments

There have been many standout moments this season. In February earlier this year, against Brighton, Godfrey killed the game in a devastating 21-second spell that saw her strike shortly after Brighton had threatened to seal all three points themselves.

With the game on a knife edge at 1-1, the Seagulls’ Nadine Noordam attempted to get her team in front but struck the post from the centre of the box. Seconds later and the ball was in the Brighton net, London City capitalising on Brighton’s profligacy. Godfrey cut in from the right-hand side – another bewildering step over – to send an effort into the top left corner with her left foot.

The strike helped Eder Maestre earn his first win in the BWSL, Godfrey another goal of the month nomination, as well as another Player of the Match award.

Knocking on the door for a debut

Performances like those against Spurs and Brighton have earned Godfrey international recognition. After captaining England’s U19s she joined the national team for the first time in late 2025, a part of England’s “Homecoming Series” fixtures facing both China and Ghana. She was the first player to be called up to the Lionesses squad in London City’s history.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman highlighted how Godfrey “brings something different” to the national team. She was called up again earlier this year but is yet to make her senior England debut. It surely won’t be long, but training with the nation’s best is only going to enhance her game further.

One of Godfrey’s key strengths is her flexibility. She can play centrally or wide, and it’s this that enables her to cause such havoc in opposition areas.

“Wherever I play I feel I can impact the game,” she told Forbes. “It’s important that you're able to have that flexibility, the ability to play wherever the manager wants you, to get in those threatening positions to try and either score goals or create chances, get assists.”

Displaying such confidence, this rising star will surely continue to shine.

Word credit: Taylor Simpson-Ward & Nick Judd