Eniola Aluko

England

Aluko was called into the England set-up as a 14-year-old. She chose to remain loyal to the English coaches who had given her the opportunity to play international football, but said: "The main thing for me is for people to understand that choosing to play for England doesn't mean that I don't support Nigeria. I'm as much Nigerian as I'm British. Of course Nigeria means a lot to me, it's part of me, but I've been brought up by English coaches." Having represented England at Under-17 level, Aluko scored on her debut at Under-19 level and appeared in the UEFA Under-19 European Championship Finals in Germany in July 2003 while aged only 16 years. She later played at Under-21 level, before making her senior debut, aged 17, against the Netherlands in September 2004. Her first senior goal came against the Czech Republic at Walsall in May 2005, and she added two more in the 13–0 away win against Hungary that October. Aluko played in UEFA Women's Euro 2005, despite a clash with her A-Level studies. She sat a history exam on the morning of England's 2–1 defeat to Denmark. In the final group game against Sweden Aluko almost scored a bizarre equaliser, but was left disappointed as hosts England lost 1–0 and exited the competition. At the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007, Aluko featured in group matches against Japan and Argentina, as well as the 3–0 quarter-final defeat by the United States. After the tournament, she was critical of The Football Association and the level of…

In January 2020, Aluko was appointed Aston Villa Women's first sporting director shortly after retiring from professional football. In the role, she oversaw the club's women's football operations following their promotion ambitions and subsequent development within the English women's game. In May 2021, Aluko was appointed the inaugural sporting director of Angel City FC, a National Women's Soccer League expansion club based in Los Angeles. She joined the club after leaving Aston Villa and was tasked with helping establish the team's football operations ahead of its debut NWSL season. In April 2024, Aluko made history by becoming the first African woman to make the board of Italy's female top-flight football club FC Como Women as part of Mercury 13, an investment group focused on the development of women's football clubs. In July 2024, Eni Aluko launched a £60,000 scholarship in conjunction with Brunel University of London (BUL), supporting the next generation of lawyers and sports people in their studies and career development. The scholarship will be spread across two years and contribute towards the tuition fees, travel expenses and competitions for five law students and 10 sports students. Aluko has also partnered with Adidas for recipients to receive sponsored kit from the sportswear brand.

Birmingham City, 2001–2004

On 7 April 2002, 15-year-old Aluko played for Birmingham in the FA Women's Premier League Cup Final at Adams Park, as the young Birmingham team lost 7–1 to professional Fulham. City did win promotion as Northern Division champions to the Premier League National Division in 2001–02. Her goalscoring during the following 2002–03 Premier League season led Bignot and the media to declare her "the Wayne Rooney of women's football". Aluko was named Young Player of the Year at The FA Women's Football Awards in 2003.

Charlton Athletic, 2004–2007

Aluko left Birmingham to join Charlton Athletic in January 2004. She helped Charlton defeat Fulham 1–0 to win the FA Women's Premier League Cup at Underhill Stadium in March 2004. During the 2003–04 season, Aluko appeared as a second-half substitute when Charlton lost the FA Women's Cup final to Arsenal, 3–0 at Loftus Road in May. Charlton also lost the Premier League National Division title to Arsenal on the last day of the season, having led the way for most of the season. Aluko lifted the FA Women's Community Shield with Charlton in August 2004 after helping the team win. Her 41st minute set-up for Ann-Marie Heatherson provided the winner in a 1–0 victory over Arsenal at Broadhall Way. Pace was considered one of her attributes and this was evident when she sprinted onto a through ball from Emma Coss to score the winning goal in the 2005 FA Women's Cup Final at Upton Park. Charlton beat Everton…

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, to Yoruba parents Gbenga and Sileola Aluko, Aluko moved with her family to Birmingham in the West Midlands region of England at the age of six months. She grew up playing football with her brother Sone Aluko and his friends. She also played other sports, including tennis. Growing up, Aluko supported Manchester United. Aluko started her career at Leafield Athletic Ladies and subsequently played for Birmingham City Ladies' youth team under manager Marcus Bignot with England. She scored on her Birmingham team debut against Leeds United, aged 14.