I grew up in Loughton, Essex, with my family. I have three brothers and two sisters. My brother Emeka and my sister Amaka are older than me. 

We are a very close family and they have supported me at every stage of my football journey. Living in a large family there is always something going on. One thing our parents have always taught us is to work hard to achieve things and never take shortcuts. 

I’ve always been good at sport and I went to dance classes with my sister, but there was a time I went to watch my brothers play football, and I asked my mum if I could do it too. I started as a outfield in a boys’ team, which meant I had to be strong to gain their respect. 

My first club was GFA in Loughton, a grassroots club, where I played as an attacking central midfielder. At under-9s our goalkeeper left, so I volunteered. That was the moment I found my position. My parents then put me into a professional goalkeeping academy where I started learning all the goalkeeping techniques. I enjoyed it and decided to stay in goal, even though my dad had hoped I would keep playing as a midfielder.

My biggest influences have been my whole family, who have always taught me discipline and resilience. My PE teachers throughout school, Ms Watkins and Ms Carr, also backed me. They recognised my talents and always pushed me to take part in every team sport at school. 

After advancing at GFA Loughton, my parents knew it was time to progress me to an RTC club. I joined Millwall’s academy at under-12s, at the age of 10, and I was soon promoted to under-14s, where I started covering the big goals from the age of 11. 

I also dual-registered with West Ham’s under-12s. I won the JPL League Warriors with Millwall in 2021, and in September 2021 I signed for Arsenal’s Academy at under-13s after successful trials. I was over the moon when I got the message that I’d been selected. I realised the hard work and consistent training I’d put in had paid off. But I also understood that the real work started now. 

I’ve had many highlights already: playing for Essex County, winning the national trials for the English Schools FA was another, and Arsenal’s pre-season tournaments. My two very best moments were at the English Schools Bob Docherty Tournament in Glasgow in 2023, where we drew 1–1 with the Irish side and I saved a penalty in the shootout to win, and being part of the England team that beat Spain in a friendly in Alicante in 2024. Winning the Shanghai Future Star Cup with Arsenal this August was also something I will not forget.

I’ve been lucky to travel a lot with Arsenal – Sweden and the Vinci Cup in 2023, the Rey Cup in Iceland, where we finished runners-up, Kamloops in Canada in 2025, and Shanghai this summer. My most memorable trip was probably Shanghai, because we each had to give a presentation to the team about ourselves. 

In mine, I shared that I am neurodivergent. I explained that if I seem shy, it’s not because I don’t want to join in, but because I sometimes struggle to engage. My team-mates on that trip were really supportive and helped me take part in things I normally wouldn’t have, like the music video we created.

I am a calm player and I read the game well. I believe my calmness rubs off on those around me and helps build confidence during games. Starting as an outfield player has helped my footwork, which is why I’m relaxed on the ball. I’m a shot-stopper first and foremost, and I make saves in important moments. I also take pride in my handling: in my match analysis for last season I had a 97.9 per cent handling success rate and kept 11 clean sheets in 16 matches. 

People often tell me I reach areas aerially that they didn’t expect me to, which comes from the techniques I learned at an early age. I am flexible and athletic, and I believe this helps me make up for height. Being tall is not always necessary, and I am proof of that. 

One of my other strengths is penalties. Like every goalkeeper, I’m always working on the details. My left foot was my weaker side so I have worked hard on it and my left foot distribution accuracy has improved from 63 per cent to about 87 per cent. 

Goalkeeping teaches you quickly. A goal you wish you had saved or a heavy defeat can feel big in the moment, but I have learned to reset and focus on the next action. Balancing football with school has also taught me discipline and time management, and to speak up when something isn’t right.

In 2023 I earned my first cap for England Schools under-15s. I was also part of that England under-17s win against Spain at the Alicante camp in 2024. I made my England Under-17s debut at St George’s Park, keeping a clean sheet, and earning my second cap in a 7–0 win over the Faroe Islands in qualifying for the 2025 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship. 

International football is quicker and more intense, and you have to get to know a new group of players in a short space of time. I trained with the first team in pre-season 2024, and again in August 2025. The pace, intensity and quality were a step up. 

I really enjoyed training at that level, and it showed me the standard I want to reach. The thing you really notice is how professional they are in the small details: preparation, recovery and, on the pitch, how quickly they make decisions. 

This season I want to keep improving every week and help the Under-21s have a strong season. Beyond that, I would like to build on my England involvement and in five years’ time be playing professional football at a high level, while continuing my education and my creative interests.