Jess Sigsworth

Jess Sigsworth, born on October 13, 1994, in Doncaster, England, embarked on her football journey at the age of seven, starting with Branton Boys. Her early passion for the sport led her to play for Doncaster Rovers Belles Juniors before joining Sheffield United Girls’ Centre of Excellence in 2008. During her time at Sheffield United, she earned a place in the England under-17 squad. After three seasons, she returned to Doncaster Belles to continue her development. Sigsworth’s youth career was marked by her dedication to football and a lifelong dream of playing for Manchester United.

Sigsworth’s senior career began in 2011 with Doncaster Rovers Belles, where she played for four years, making 44 appearances and scoring 7 goals. In 2015, she briefly moved to Notts County in the FA WSL, though she did not make any appearances. She returned to Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2016, where she signed a full-time contract and made a significant impact. In the 2017–18 season, she was instrumental in leading Doncaster to the FA WSL 2 title, earning the Player of the Month award for March and the Golden Boot with 15 goals. This period showcased her ability as a prolific scorer and a key player.

In 2018, Sigsworth became one of the original players for the newly formed Manchester United Women’s team. In their inaugural season (2018–19), she was a pivotal part of the team that won the FA Women’s Championship, scoring 17 league goals, including five on the opening day against Aston Villa, and securing another Golden Boot. She continued to play for Manchester United for two more seasons in the top flight, contributing five goals across 28 appearances. Following her time at Manchester United, she moved to Leicester City in 2021 and later had a final season with Sheffield United in 2023–2024 before announcing her retirement from professional football at the age of 29 on July 31, 2024. Throughout her career, Sigsworth also represented England at various youth levels, including U17, U19, U20, and U23 squads.