Ella Morris (footballer)

Ella Morris (born 23 September 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender, most recently for Women's Championship club Southampton, and the England under-23 team. She has previously represented England at every youth level from under-15 to under-19 level.

Early life

Morris began her youth career at the Hampshire Centre of Excellence aged 7, joined Southampton at the age of 14, and featured as part of the under-16 team in the Talent Pathway League.

She attended Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Club career

In her first season with Southampton, 2019–20, Morris played in the Women's National League Division One South West. She was named Southampton Women's Player of the Season, after receiving the most fan votes, as well as Player's Player of the Season. Saints manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale credited her crucial assists and two important goals in the season, having stepped up from the under-16s.

On 5 January 2022, in the 2021–22 FA Cup fourth round at St Mary's Stadium, Morris scored the winning goal in extra time against Championship side Bristol City for a 1–0 victory. She ended the 2021–22 National League South season, with 4 goals in 22 appearances for the club.

On 28 August 2022, Morris helped the Saints come back from two goals down at half time against Lewes, scoring the first of two goals for a draw 2-2. In May 2023, she was voted second in the Women's Championships Player of the Season award for 2022–23.

On 27 August 2023, in the Saints opening game of the 2023–24 Championship against Lewes, Morris scored within five minutes of appearing as a substitute in a 4–1 victory.

On 10 December 2023, in the 2023–24 FA Cup third round, she created both goals in the 2–1 win over Portsmouth, providing a series of dangerous crosses leading to an own goal and an assist.

In June 2024, Morris left Southampton upon the expiration of her contract.

International career

Morris has represented England in the U15, U16, U17, U18, U19 and U23 youth teams.

On 18 September 2018, she was named as part of the under-17 squad for 2019 U-17 Championship qualification, making her debut as a 59th-minute substitute in a 7–0 win over Azerbaijan on 22 September. In May 2019, Morris was named as part of the squad for the final tournament, playing the full 90 minutes as right-back against Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

In February 2023, she received her first call up to the under-23s for fixtures against Spain and Belgium. On 25 September 2023, with England U23, Morris scored her debut youth international goal for England with a volley for the final goal in a 3–0 victory over Belgium.

On 4 December 2023, she scored the opening goal in the under-23s 1–1 draw against Spain.

Personal life

Morris's idols are Ryan Bertrand, Kyle Walker and Lucy Bronze. She looks up to former Saints midfielder James Ward-Prowse and has paid tribute by replicating his golf-swing goal celebration.

References

External links

• Profile at Southampton F.C.
• Ella Morris at Soccerway
• Ella Morris at Flashscore