Alex Greenwood

Everton (2010–2014)

Greenwood joined Everton at the age of six, initially through weekly training sessions at the club's former youth academy site at Netherton and she then progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence from the age of eight to sign a professional contract with the club. On 5 August 2010, a month before her 17th birthday, she made her first team debut in a 2010–11 UEFA Women's Champions League qualification round match against Faroese club KÍ. Everton won 6–0 win. Two days later, in the same competition, Greenwood scored a penalty in the 80th minute as Everton defeated Macedonian team FK Borec 10–0. Everton's longstanding left-back Rachel Unitt signed for Birmingham City after 2011 FA WSL, the inaugural season of WSL, and Greenwood replaced her for 2012 FA WSL. During the season, she played for England's under-19 team at the 2012 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Turkey. In November, she was named FA Young Player of the Year at The Football Association Women's Football Awards.

Greenwood played in Everton's 2–0 defeat by Arsenal in the 2013–14 FA Women's Cup final. Despite reaching the cup final, Everton were relegated at the end of 2014 FA WSL. Greenwood requested a transfer to protect her national team place ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Ahead of 2015 FA WSL, she signed for Notts County on a two-year contract for an undisclosed transfer fee. The move disappointed Everton who wanted Greenwood to leave on loan and come back if…

Greenwood captained England at youth level and played at the 2012 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. Senior national team coach Mark Sampson selected her for the 2014 Cyprus Cup, where she made her debut against Italy on 5 March 2014. She scored her first goal for England in September 2014 in a 10–0 win against Montenegro. At the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, youngest member of the squad Greenwood shared England's left-back duties with Claire Rafferty. She won a bronze medal when the team beat Germany in the third place play-off. Although she was the youngest member of the squad, Greenwood was England's best left-footed exponent in dead-ball situations. In 2019, Greenwood was part of the England team that won the SheBelieves Cup in the United States. Later that year, Greenwood was selected as part of England's World Cup squad. As part of England's social-media facing squad announcement, her name was announced by singer Olly Murs. On 23 June, Greenwood scored England's third goal in the 3–0 round of 16 win against Cameroon as England went on to finish fourth. Greenwood was a member of the England squad that won UEFA Women's Euro 2022. She was allotted 184 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international. Greenwood first captained England during an Arnold Clark Cup match on 19 February 2023, having previously worn the armband after a series of substitutions in England's 20–0 victory over Latvia on 30 November…

Greenwood has played as both a left-back and centre-back. She began her senior career mainly as a left-back before later being used regularly in central defence. Analyses of her playing style have discussed her passing from defensive positions, involvement in build-up play, and ability to carry the ball forward under pressure.Statistical reports have recorded high-pass completion figures and involvement in progressive passing and ball progression. Defensively, Greenwood is referred for her positioning, tackling and blocking.

Greenwood was born and grew up in Bootle and attended St Monica's RC Primary School, Bootle. She joined Everton aged six, initially for weekly training sessions at the club's former youth academy site at Netherton, whilst playing for local junior teams and then progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence from the age of eight to sign her first professional contract with the club. Greenwood was brought up supporting Merseyside rivals Liverpool and admired Jamie Carragher and Rachel Unitt. She also attended Savio Salesian College in Bootle.