Sophie Howard (footballer)

Sophie Howard
Howard playing for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in 2016
Personal information
Full name Sophie Louise Howard[1]
Date of birth (1993-09-17) 17 September 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Hanau, Germany
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Leicester City
Number 5
Youth career
Sportfreunde Oberau
SV Phönix Düdelsheim
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 UCF Knights 63 (3)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 1899 Hoffenheim 42 (1)
2013 Colorado Rapids Women
2014–2015 Colorado Pride
2015–2018 1899 Hoffenheim 63 (1)
2018–2020 Reading 17 (0)
2020– Leicester City 57 (1)
International career
2012 Germany U20 2 (0)
2017– Scotland 41 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:27, 3 July 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:25, 29 September 2023 (UTC)

Sophie Louise Howard (born 17 September 1993) is a footballer who plays as a defender for FA Women's Super League club Leicester City. Born in Germany, she has been a member of the Scotland national team since 2017.

Club career

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On 8 June 2020, Reading announced that Howard had left the club after her contract had expired.[2] In August 2020 Howard signed for Leicester City ahead of the 2020–21 FA Women's Championship season.

Sophie Howard (15) with Leicester City in April 2021

International career

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Howard played twice for the Germany U20 national team in 2012. She was named in Germany's squad for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan, but did not get to play in any matches. In 2016 she was called into a training camp for England's new "Next Gen" team. She said: "Although I was born and brought up in Germany it's always been my ambition to play for England, and hopefully I’ve now taken my first step."[3]

In March 2017 she was called up into the Scotland national team. The Scots had three injured defenders and were allowed to pick Howard because her grandfather is Scottish.[4] She made her senior international debut on 11 April 2017, as a 64th-minute substitute in a 5–0 friendly defeat by Belgium in Leuven.[5]

Career statistics

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International appearances

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Scotland statistics accurate as of match played 29 September 2023.[6]
Year Scotland
Apps Goals
2017 4 0
2018 8 0
2019 4 1
2020 3 0
2021 5 0
2022 9 0
2023 8 2
Total 41 3

International goals

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Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Howard goal.[6]
List of international goals scored by Sophie Howard
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 28 May 2019 Hampden Park, Glasgow  Jamaica 3–2 3–2 Friendly
2 21 February 2023 Pinatar Arena, San Pedro del Pinatar  Wales 1–0 1–1 2023 Pinatar Cup
2 21 February 2023 Hampden Park, Glasgow  Belgium 1–1 1–1 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League


References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Japan 2012 List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 14 September 2012. p. 5. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  2. ^ "🙏 Reading FC Women issue thanks as out of contract players depart". Reading F.C. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  3. ^ Leighton, Tony (23 August 2016). "Howard's way is a boost for Next Gen coach Spacey". The League Paper. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  4. ^ Lindsay, Clive (29 March 2017). "Scotland women: Signeul hopes to add Barsley and Howard to squad to face Belgium". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Under-strength Scotland fall to Belgium". Scottish Football Association. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017. Anna Signeul made a further change on the 64th minute, replacing one debutant with another, as the impressive Vaila Barsley made way for Sophie Howard.
  6. ^ a b Sophie Howard at the Scottish Football Association
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