Former Hibernian Ladies midfielder Kim Little has topped a supporters’ poll to become the second winner of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2016 beating a shortlist of Gaelle Enganamouit (FC Rosengard, Sweden), Amandine Henry (Olympique Lyonnais), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash) and Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City).
Little was Seattle Reign’s leading scorer, and second overall in America’s National Women’s Soccer League, with 10 goals.
After leaving Hibernian, she became a five-time title winner with Arsenal and has made 115 appearances for Scotland, scoring 46 goals.
She was named the FA’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2010, and in 2013 became the first recipient of the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award.
The 25 year-old said: “I’m surprised to win – I’m extremely humbled to win.
“I think women’s football is in a great place and I think especially in terms of the USA and where I’m playing right now, it is leading the way. I’m proud to have won this award and to stand up here for women’s football and hopefully it will progress further.”
Mary Hockaday, Controller of BBC World Service English, said: “Well done to Kim Little. It’s been another outstanding year for women’s football and Kim’s talent shines through on the pitch.
“I’m delighted BBC World Service plays an important part in giving female footballers the recognition they deserve.”
Scotland coach Anna Signeul said. “She’s a player that has almost everything. She’s quick, her balance and movement on the pitch is fantastic, she has brilliant technique, there aren’t many things that she can’t do.
“She’s a role model. She’s perfect in everything she does on and off the pitch, and I think it will take a long time before Scotland gets another player like this.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
