Karen Carney

Karen Carney, born on August first, nineteen eighty-seven, is a distinguished English sports journalist and former professional footballer, celebrated for her versatility as a winger and midfielder. Carney has made a significant impact in the broadcasting realm, serving as a regular commentator for live football on platforms such as TNT Sports, Sky Sports, ITV, and Amazon Prime since two thousand nineteen. Her insights extend to her roles as a sports columnist for BBC Sport and The Guardian, as well as a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Television.

Carney's football journey began at Birmingham City, where she was recognized as the FA Young Player of the Year in both two thousand five and two thousand six. Her career flourished at Arsenal, where she achieved remarkable success during the two thousand six to two thousand seven season, winning the UEFA Women's Cup alongside all three domestic trophies: the FA Women's Premier League, FA Women's Cup, and FA Women's Premier League Cup. After a stint with the Chicago Red Stars in the American Women's Professional Soccer, she returned to Birmingham City from two thousand eleven to two thousand fifteen, before concluding her playing career at Chelsea, where she was honored as Player of the Year in two thousand sixteen and captained the team to an FA Women's Cup title in the two thousand seventeen to eighteen season.

On the international stage, Carney made her senior debut for England in two thousand five and went on to represent her country at four FIFA Women's World Cups in two thousand seven, two thousand eleven, two thousand fifteen, and two thousand nineteen, as well as at four UEFA Women's Championships in two thousand five, two thousand nine, two thousand thirteen, and two thousand seventeen. At the time of her retirement in July two thousand nineteen, she was the second most capped England player with one hundred forty-four appearances, a record that has since been surpassed by Jill Scott. Additionally, she proudly represented Great Britain at the two thousand twelve Summer Olympics.

Carney's contributions to football have been recognized with numerous accolades, including her induction into Birmingham City's Hall of Fame in two thousand fifteen and the English Football Hall of Fame in two thousand twenty-one. In two thousand seventeen, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), followed by her recognition as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the two thousand twenty-four Birthday Honours for her services to association football. In two thousand twenty-five, she showcased her talents beyond the pitch by winning the twenty-third series of Strictly Come Dancing.