Kim Little facts for kids
Little playing for Arsenal in 2019
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kim Alison Little | ||
| Date of birth | 29 June 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Mintlaw, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.62 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
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Current team
|
Arsenal | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2004 | Buchan Girls FC | ||
| 2005–2006 | Hibs Girls FC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2008 | Hibernian Ladies | 48 | (88) |
| 2008–2013 | Arsenal | 87 | (54) |
| 2014–2016 | Seattle Reign | 63 | (32) |
| 2015–2016 | → Melbourne City (loan) | 12 | (9) |
| 2017– | Arsenal | 121 | (33) |
| 2022 | → OL Reign (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2007–2008 | Scotland U19 | 8 | (6) |
| 2007–2021 | Scotland | 140 | (59) |
| 2012–2021 | Great Britain | 9 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 June 2021 |
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Kim Alison Little, born on June 29, 1990, is a Scottish professional footballer. She plays as a midfielder and is the captain for Arsenal in the English Women's Super League. Before she stopped playing for her country in 2021, Little was the vice-captain of the Scotland national team.
She started her senior career at Hibernian. With them, she won the Scottish Women's Premier League, Scottish Women's Cup, and Scottish Women's Premier League Cup in the 2006–2007 season. At Arsenal, she has won many titles. These include the FA Women's Premier League National Division twice, the FA Women's League Cup five times, the Women's Super League three times, and the Women's FA Cup three times. She also won the UEFA Women's Champions League with Arsenal. When she played for Seattle Reign, Little won the NWSL Golden Boot and was named NWSL Most Valuable Player.
Little began playing for Scotland at the senior level in 2007 when she was 16. She scored Scotland's first hat trick in 2012. She helped her country qualify for Euro 2017 and the 2019 World Cup. She was also chosen for the Great Britain squad. She played in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In both Olympics, her team reached the quarterfinals.
She has received many awards for her amazing play. In 2010, she was named the FA's Women's Player of the Year. In 2013, she was the first person to win the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year award. In 2016, she was named BBC Women's Footballer of the Year. Since 2019, Little has been part of the PFA WSL Team of the Year three times. In 2025, Little led Arsenal to win the UEFA Women's Champions League. This was the club's second time winning it and their first in eighteen years. She is one of only two Scottish women's football players to have ever won the UWCL.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Kim Little was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. She grew up in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire. She started playing football at a young age with her father and brother. She played for her primary school, Mintlaw Primary School, and for Mintlaw Boys Club. From age 10 to 14, she played for Buchan Girls. Then, in 2005, she joined the Hibernian Girls team.
When she was 13, she went to Mintlaw Academy and played football there. While with Hibernian Girls, Little would travel about three and a half hours each way. This was from Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh for training. Little said that football gave her many chances from a young age. She loved traveling and playing against good players from all over Europe. This made her want to keep playing even more. Little also studied Sports Studies at the University of Hertfordshire while playing for Arsenal.
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Hibernian (2006–2008)
At just 16 years old, Kim Little played her first game for Hibernian. This was in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). Her debut was in a UEFA Women's Cup match in August 2006. In her first league game, she scored three goals against Hutchison Vale.
During the 2006–07 season, Hibs won every match. They became SWPL champions. They also won the Scottish Women's Cup. Little scored an amazing 55 goals in 30 games that season. In the next season, she played in the UEFA Women's Cup again. She also won the SWPL Cup. Before leaving Hibernian, she scored 33 goals in 18 games.
Joining Arsenal (2008–2013)
In March 2008, at 17, Little joined Arsenal in the FA Women's Premier League National Division. She scored her first goal for Arsenal in April. This was during a 4–1 win against Chelsea. Arsenal's manager, Vic Akers, said she would be a "big player."
Little played in almost every league game in the 2008–09 season. She scored 24 goals. Arsenal finished first in the league. She also played in the 5–0 Premier League Cup Final win. She scored in the FA Women's Cup Final, where Arsenal beat Sunderland 2–1. Little said this was her most memorable season. Arsenal won three trophies, even though some top players had left.
In the next season, Little scored many goals from midfield. She helped Arsenal finish first again. She was the league's top scorer with 22 goals. In June 2010, she was named FA Players' Player of the Year. Arsenal lost the 2010 FA Women's Cup Final 3–2 to Everton, even with Little scoring a penalty.
FA WSL Success (2011–2013)
In 2011, the FA WSL became the top women's football league in England. In the 2011 season, Little was the second-highest scorer with nine goals. She scored two goals in a game against Doncaster Belles. Arsenal finished first in the league. In the 2011 FA Women's Cup Final, Little was named Player of the Match. She scored the first goal in Arsenal's 2–0 win. Arsenal's manager called Little "world class."
In the 2012 season, Little was the league's top scorer with 11 goals. Arsenal won their ninth English title without losing a game. She scored two goals in a 3–1 win against Chelsea L.F.C. and two more in a 2–0 win against Liverpool L.F.C.. Little was voted Women's Players' Player of the Year for 2012–13. This was the first time this award was given to women. She was very happy to win it.
Before the 2013 season, Arsenal's coach left. Under a new coach, Arsenal finished third. Little scored three goals in 14 games that season.
Moving to Seattle Reign FC (2014–2016)
In November 2013, Little left Arsenal to join Seattle Reign FC in the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Her former coach, Laura Harvey, was now coaching Seattle Reign. Harvey said Little was "world-class" and would be a huge help to the team.
In her first game for the Reign, she scored two goals. Seattle won 3–0. She was named NWSL Player of the Month three times in a row. She scored four goals in April, five goals in May, and three goals with four assists in July. Seattle won the 2014 NWSL Shield (regular season title) easily. They finished 13 points ahead of the second-place team. In the playoffs, Little scored a goal to help Seattle reach the final. They lost the final 2–1. Little was named league MVP and won the NWSL Golden Boot for her 16 goals. She also had seven assists, which was second-highest in the league.
In the 2015 season, Little was the team's top scorer with 10 goals. She also had seven assists, which was the most in the league. The Reign won the NWSL Shield again. They reached the championship final but lost 1–0. Little was named to the NWSL Best XI team.
In the 2016 season, many of Seattle's players were injured. Little helped the team by scoring goals and giving assists. She finished the season with six goals and two assists. Seattle just missed out on the playoffs. On October 17, 2016, Little announced she would return to Arsenal.
Loan to Melbourne City FC (2015–2016)
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In October 2015, Little joined Australian team Melbourne City on loan for the 2015–16 season. She was named Player of the Match in her first game. She scored a goal and assisted another in a 4–0 win against Melbourne Victory. Little played 12 games for Melbourne City and scored 9 goals. Melbourne City won both the regular season and the Grand Final. Little won the Player of the Match Award in the grand final. She later said her time in Australia was a "one year thing."
Return to Arsenal (2017–Present)
In May 2017, Little got a serious knee injury while training with Arsenal. She missed most of the season. On March 14, 2018, Arsenal won the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup final, beating Manchester City 1–0.
Little broke her leg in October 2018 during a game against Chelsea. She was expected to be out for 10 weeks. Arsenal went on to win the 2018–19 Super League. This was their first league championship in seven years.
Little signed a new contract with Arsenal in August 2019. She had foot surgery in February 2020. In June 2022, Little went back to OL Reign for a short loan. In April 2023, she missed the rest of the 2022–23 Women's Super League season due to a hamstring injury.
Little scored a penalty in a 3–1 win against Manchester United. This game was the first sold-out Super League match at Emirates Stadium. At the start of the 2024/25 season, Little scored a penalty in Arsenal’s 6–0 win against Rangers W.F.C. in the Champions League. In January 2025, Little had surgery for a broken finger. In February 2025, she extended her contract with Arsenal until June 2026. She captained the Arsenal team that won the Champions League, beating Barcelona 1–0 in the final.
International Career
Playing for Scotland
Little played her first game for the Scotland national team in February 2007. She was only 16 years old. The coach, Anna Signeul, believed in her talent. Little scored her first international goal in March 2008.
In her 50th game for Scotland, Little scored the first goal in a 2–0 win against England in March 2011. This was only the second time Scotland had beaten England, and the first time since 1977. On June 16, 2012, Little scored Scotland's first hat trick in an 8–0 win against Israel. In October 2012, she scored in both games of Scotland's Euro 2013 play-off against Spain. Scotland lost and missed out on qualifying for a major tournament.
Little missed UEFA Euro 2017 because of her injury. After she recovered, she helped Scotland qualify for the 2019 FIFA World Cup. This was Scotland's first time in a World Cup. Little scored a goal in a key win against Switzerland during qualification.
Before the 2019 World Cup, Little scored in a 1–0 friendly win against Brazil. At the 2019 World Cup, she scored the first goal in a 3–3 draw with Argentina. In Scotland's first game after the World Cup, Little scored five goals in an 8–0 win against Cyprus. On September 1, 2021, Little announced she was retiring from the Scottish national team. She played 140 games and scored 59 goals for Scotland.
Playing for Great Britain Olympic Team
Little wanted to play for the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Olympics. She said it was the biggest sporting event ever. She was chosen for the 18-player squad. She was one of only two non-English players.
Little gave two assists in the team's second group game, a 3–0 win against Cameroon. Great Britain won all three group matches. They reached the quarter-finals, where they played Canada. Great Britain lost 2–0 and were out of the tournament.
Little was again chosen for the Great Britain team for the 2020 Summer Olympics. These Olympics were delayed until 2021. Great Britain reached the quarter-finals again. They lost 4–3 to Australia.
Style of Play
Kim Little usually plays as an attacking midfielder. This means she plays in the middle of the field, helping to create goals. When she plays for Scotland, she often plays a bit deeper. In an interview, Little said that most of her goals come from midfield. She always tries to run forward, be positive, and create chances to score.
Personal Life
Little is part of the "No More Red" campaign with Arsenal. This campaign works against knife violence. She is also working to get her UEFA A Licence coaching qualification. Many of her Arsenal teammates see her as a mentor and someone who has helped them. In 2016, she was part of a national campaign for Athlete Ally.
Honours and Awards
Little was given the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2023. This was for her great contributions to football.
Hibernian L.F.C.
- Scottish Premier League: 2006–07
- Scottish Women's Cup: 2006–07
- Scottish Premier League Cup: 2006–07
Arsenal W.F.C.
- Premier League National Division: 2008–09, 2009–10
- FA Women's Super League: 2011, 2012, 2018–19
- FA Cup: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- Premier League Cup: 2008–09
- WSL Cup / FA Women's League Cup: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017–18, 2022–23, 2023–24
- UEFA Women's Champions League: 2024–25
Seattle Reign FC
- NWSL Shield (regular season winners): 2014, 2015
Melbourne City FC
- W-League Champions (Grand Final winners): 2015–16
- W-League Premiers (regular season winners): 2015–16
Individual Awards
- BBC Women's Footballer of the Year: 2016
- PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year: 2013
- PFA WSL Team of the Year: 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22
- FA Women's Player of the Year: 2010
- FA Women's Cup Final Player of the Match: 2011
- NWSL Most Valuable Player: 2014
- NWSL Golden Boot: 2014
- NWSL Best XI: 2014, 2015
- W-League Player of Grand Final award: 2016
See also
In Spanish: Kim Little para niños
- List of women's footballers with 100 or more caps
- Scottish FA Women's International Roll of Honour
- List of Seattle Reign FC players
