LEAH WILLIAMSON will captain the Lionesses at the Euros in July with the team looking to win the tournament on home soil.
And Chelsea defender Millie Bright has been confirmed as England’s vice-skipper with Ellen White next in line.
Leah Williamson will captain England at the Women’s Euros this summer Credit: Alamy The news comes seven months after Williamson, 25, was named England skipper in the absence of Steph Houghton.
The long-serving Manchester City ace has been out of international action since last September following an Achilles injury.
Before then Houghton, 33, has served as the Lionesses captain since she first donned armband back in January 2014.
And the WSL veteran led the team to the World Cup semi-finals in 2019 where they were defeated by eventual tournament winners USA.
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Grand National free bets and sign up offers: New customer deals for Aintree Williamson, who made her senior international debut in a World Cup qualifier win against Russia in 2017, said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family and I am honoured to be asked to lead us at the Euros.
“Steph Houghton is one of this country’s all-time greats and to follow in her footsteps – and all of those special names who have led the team in the past – means so much.
“Although I will be wearing the armband, I know we have a squad full of leaders who share my pride and passion in playing for our country.
“Whether I am captain or not, I will never take anything for granted and will always do my best for England every time I pull on the shirt.”
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Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman, 52, added: “Leah has been a great leader for us and I know she will continue to set the example we need in her work on and off the pitch.
“She joins a proud list of England captains and will be following in the footsteps of the likes of the first captain Sheila Parker but also her predecessor Steph Houghton who have all been integral for the women’s game.
“While I know this is significant news for our fans, for me the most important thing is that we work hard in training and perform to the best we can in our matches as a team.
“The main thing is we are ready for our World Cup qualifiers and then the Euros this summer.”
Williamson, a lifelong Arsenal fan, has helped the club to a WSL title, and a league cup and FA Cup wins, since making her senior Gunners debut in 2014.
Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright has been named as England’s vice-captain at the Euros Credit: Getty And the versatile central defender, who has 27 senior England caps, led her national side to Arnold Clark Cup trophy triumph following draws against Canada and Spain and a defeat of Germany.
The Lionesses, who are top of their World Cup qualifier group, face North Macedonia away on Friday before a clash with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
The team have gone unbeaten since Wiegman commenced her role as head coach last September.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
