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Anita Asante

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Anita Asante
Asante 2022
Personal information
Full name Anita Amma Ankyewah Asante[1]
Date of birth (1985-04-27) 27 April 1985 (age 41)
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Positions
Youth career
1998–2003 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2008 Arsenal 160
2008–2009 Chelsea 11 (0)
2009 Sky Blue FC 16 (0)
2010 Saint Louis Athletica 1 (0)
2010 Chicago Red Stars 6 (0)
2010 Washington Freedom 6 (0)
2011 Sky Blue FC 12 (0)
2012–2013 Göteborg 41 (9)
2013–2017 FC Rosengård 80 (2)
2018–2020 Chelsea 7 (0)
2020–2022 Aston Villa 35 (2)
International career
2004–2018 England 71 (2)
2012 Great Britain 4 (0)
Managerial career
2022-2023 Bristol City Women
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Anita Amma Ankyewah Asante (born 27 April 1985) is an English football coach and former player.

Early life

[edit]

Asante was born in London, and is the eldest of three siblings.[2]

Asante studied Politics and English for her BA at Brunel University Business School,[3] while also benefiting from the UK "Government's Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme" to assist athletes in full-time education.[4] She started a PhD in the United States on the governance of women's football.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Arsenal

[edit]
Asante playing for Arsenal

Asante joined Arsenal as a junior in 1998.[6] She attended a training session hosted by Claire Wheatley and Rachel Yankey, which led her to join the club's Centre of Excellence.[7]

She became a senior player in the 2003–04 season.[4]

Asante was part of the Arsenal team that won UEFA Women's Cup (now known as the Women's Champions League) in 2006–07, becoming the first English team to secure the title.

In the same season, Arsenal won the quadruple, collecting the UEFA Women's Cup, FA Women's National Premier League, FA Women's Cup and the FA Women's Premier League Cup.[8][9][10]

In total, Asante won 13 trophies during her time at Arsenal, including five league titles.

Chelsea

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On 3 July 2008, it was announced that Asante, along with teammate Lianne Sanderson, had joined rivals Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Vic Akers publicly criticised the players after their departure, saying "You think you've the respect of players, and then they do that. It's a sorry state of affairs."[11]

Women's Professional Soccer

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In 2009, Asante joined New Jersey–based WPS franchise Sky Blue FC.[12] She helped the club win the inaugural WPS championship.

On 6 May 2010, Asante was traded to the Saint Louis Athletica in return for India Trotter. When the Saint Louis Athletica folded on 27 May 2010, she was acquired by the Chicago Red Stars.

She was subsequently traded to the Washington Freedom on 6 August 2010.[13]

In December 2010, Asante returned for a second spell at Sky Blue FC, after Jim Gabarra, her coach at Washington Freedom, took the reins at Sky Blue.[5]

On 30 January 2012, it was announced that the 2012 WPS season would be suspended.[14] In May, it was further announced that the league had folded.[15]

Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC

[edit]

With the folding of WPS, Asante signed a contract with Damallsvenskan club Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (now known as BK Häcken).[16] Her first match for Göteborg was against former club Arsenal in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter final, a 3–1 first leg defeat.[17]

Asante played 41 league games for Göteborg over two seasons, scoring nine goals.[18] She won the Swedish Cup and the Swedish Super Cup with Göteborg.

LdB FC Malmö/FC Rosengård

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In October 2013, Asante signed with Damallsvenskan champions LdB FC Malmö (known as FC Rosengård since late 2013).[19] Asante, won several titles at the club including the Damallsvenskan league title in 2014, 2015, the 2016 Swedish Cup and the Swedish Super Cup in 2016 and 2017. Asante reached the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League in three consecutive seasons (2014–15,[20] 2015–16,[21] and 2016–17[22]).

Return to Chelsea

[edit]

In December 2017, Asante returned to Chelsea.[23] She suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for England at the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, but credited Chelsea's support for her "positive rehab experience".[24]

In her second spell at Chelsea, she won the WSL in the 2017–18 and 2019–20 seasons,[25] the FA Cup in the 2017–18 season,[26] and the Continental Cup in the 2019–20 season.[27]

Aston Villa

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On 7 June 2020, Asante signed for newly promoted team Aston Villa ahead of their maiden WSL campaign.[28] Asante's debut goal for the club was the decider in a 1–0 victory away to rivals Birmingham City.[29] On 26 April 2022, Asante announced her intention to retire from playing at the end of that season.[30]

International career

[edit]

Youth teams

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Asante played in the England Under 17 team. She also was a member and captain of the England Under 19s and played in the inaugural FIFA World Under 19 Championship in Canada in 2002.[31]

She was called up to the first England Under 21s team in 2004, a month after her senior international début.[32]

Senior team

[edit]

Asante made her senior international debut as a substitute against Iceland in May 2004.[31] She scored her first international goal in only her second international start, a victory against Norway in May 2005.[33] Asante was named in England's squad for Euro 2005.[34]

Asante played in the 2011 World Cup and made her 50th senior international appearance in England's 2–0 win over eventual champions Japan. Having been part of the English squad which reached the final of Euro 2009, Asante was confident of England's chances ahead of Euro 2013.[35] She was substituted at half time in England's 3–0 defeat to France which sealed a first round elimination.[36]

In 2015, politically vocal Asante was "a glaring omission" from England's squad for the 2015 World Cup in Canada, having been the only English player to sign a petition against the controversial artificial turf used at the tournament.[37] She criticised the head coach Mark Sampson for the manner in which he informed her of her non selection and his unwillingness to enter into further correspondence on the matter.[38]

Incoming England head coach Phil Neville recalled Asante for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.[39] At the opening match of the tournament, a 4–1 win over France, Asante suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and was substituted after fourteen minutes.[40][41]

She was allotted 152 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[42][43]

Great Britain

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In June 2012, Asante was named in the 18-player Great Britain squad for the home 2012 London Olympics.[44] She played in all four games; Great Britain were beaten 2–0 by Canada in the quarter finals.[45]

Post-playing career

[edit]

In 2023, Asante was inducted into the Women's Super League Hall of Fame, alongside Jill Scott and Ellen White.[46]

Coaching

[edit]
At the 2025 SXSW London festival in London, England.

On 19 July 2022, Asante was announced as first team coach of Women's Championship side Bristol City W.F.C.[47] Bristol City were promoted to the WSL for the 2022–23 season.[48] In 2023, she joined England women's U23 coaching squad.[49]

Personal life

[edit]

Asante is of Ghanaian descent.[50]

Asante is openly lesbian and is in a relationship with Welsh sports presenter and former hockey player Beth Fisher.[51] They married on 20 January 2023.[52] In June 2023, they welcomed their first child, a daughter.[2]

International goals

[edit]
Scores and results list England's goal tally first[53]
GoalDateVenueOpponentResultCompetitionScored
16 May 2005Oakwell, Barnsley Norway1–0Friendly1
27 March 2014GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus Finland3–02014 Cyprus Cup1

Honours

[edit]

Arsenal

Chelsea

[edit]

Göteborg

FC Rosengård

  • Svenska Cupen: 2016[citation needed]
  • Svenska Supercupen: 2015, runners up; 2016, 2017
Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 – List of Players: England" (PDF). FIFA. 28 July 2014. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "More than a Lioness – Anita Asante on motherhood, the WSL, and raising Gigi". Nonchalant Magazine. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "Anita Asante: 'People say I'm an activist but I just believe I found my voice'". The Guardian. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Brunel Students Competing in European Championship and Lions Tour". Brunel University. 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. 1 2 Catherine Etoe (2 July 2011). "Anita Asante/Sky Blue FC/England". SheKicks. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "18. Anita Asante". Official website. Arsenal FC. Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  7. ↑ "Asante on finding her people and winning the UWCL". Official website. Arsenal FC. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Stuart Mawhinney (7 May 2007). "Arsenal clinch quadruple". FA Women's Cup. Football Association. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Arsenal complete unique quadruple". UEFA. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  10. ↑ "Arsenal Ladies Honours". Official website. Arsenal FC. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  11. ↑ "Chelsea Ladies sign Arsenal pair". BBC Sport. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  12. ↑ Tony Leighton (8 February 2009). "Smith quits Arsenal for US league". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Washington Freedom acquire English defender Anita Asante, trade rights to Faith Ikidi". Potomac Soccer Wire. Retrieved 8 August 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "WPS Suspends 2012 Season". Women's Professional Soccer. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "WPS finally folds". Soccer America. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  16. ↑ Stacey, Charlotte (9 May 2022). "Spotlight On… Anita Asante". Since 71. Archived from the original on 12 March 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Saffer, Paul (27 June 2012). "Harvey: Arsenal 'ground down' Göteborg". UEFA. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "Anita Asante". Svenskfotboll.se. Swedish Football Association. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "Asante agrees Malmö switch". UEFA. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "Wolfsburg, Rosengård draw in UWCL quarters Leg 1 – Equalizer Soccer". Equalizer Soccer. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "History: Rosengård 0-1 Barcelona | UEFA Women's Champions League 2016/17". UEFA. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "History: Chelsea 3-0 Rosengård | UEFA Women's Champions League 2017/18". UEFA. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  23. ↑ O'Neill, Jen (19 December 2017). "Asante Signs for Chelsea". SheKicks. Archived from the original on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Brookes, Chris (14 March 2019). "'ANITA KIND OF VIEW': An in-depth, exclusive insight from Chelsea & England's Anita Asante". SheKicks. Archived from the original on 5 November 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "Women's Super League 2025/2026 » History: List of Winners". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  26. ↑ Garry, Tom (4 May 2018). "Women's FA Cup final 2018: Arsenal Women 1-3 Chelsea Ladies". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Unwin, Will (29 February 2020). "Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea: Continental Cup final – as it happened". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "Anita Asante signs for Villa Women ✍️". www.avfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  29. ↑ "Asante header gives Villa derby win". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  30. ↑ "Anita Asante to retire at end of season". Aston Villa Football Club. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  31. 1 2 3 "Anita Asante, Arsenal". England:Players and Coaches. Football Association. Archived from the original on 26 March 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  32. ↑ "Powell names first ever England Under 21 Squad". Female Soccer. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  33. ↑ Tony Leighton (7 May 2005). "Anita nets winner". England:News and Features. Football Association. Retrieved 9 February 2014.[citation needed]
  34. ↑ "England Squad Guide". BBC Sport. 3 June 2005. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  35. ↑ Kessel, Anna (6 June 2013). "England's women can go one step further and win at Euro 2013 in Sweden". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  36. ↑ Alistair Magowan (18 July 2013). "France 3 – 0 England". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  37. ↑ Kessel, Anna (30 May 2015). "Biggest Women's World Cup to kick off in Canada amid surface tension". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  38. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (23 August 2017). "England women's players fearful of speaking out, says Anita Asante". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  39. ↑ Taylor, Louise (20 February 2018). "Phil Neville opens England door with surprise selection of Anita Asante". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  40. ↑ Edwards, John (2 March 2018). "McManus: England debut means everything". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  41. ↑ "Anita Asante: England and Chelsea defender has knee surgery". BBC Sport. 9 March 2018. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  42. ↑ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  43. ↑ "ENGLAND PLAYER LEGACY AND RESULTS ARCHIVE" (Press release). The Football Association. 18 November 2022. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  44. ↑ "Team GB women's squad for London 2012 announced". BBC Sport. 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  45. ↑ "Anita Asante". Sport-Reference.com. Yard Barker. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  46. 1 2 "WSL Hall of Fame: Jill Scott, Ellen White and Anita Asante named as 2023 inductees". BBC Sport. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  47. ↑ "Asante joins Bristol City as first-team coach". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  48. ↑ "Smith 'excited' as Bristol City return to WSL". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  49. ↑ McHugh, Beth (23 October 2023). "England women's development teams coaching appointments". England Football. Archived from the original on 12 February 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  50. ↑ Shephard, Sarah (26 April 2022). "This is me: Anita Asante". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  51. ↑ "Anita Asante and Beth Fisher on relationships in women's sport". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  52. ↑ @bethfishersport (20 January 2023). "Got married at 3, in bed by 10! A perfect start to married life with my perfect person" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ↑ Karsdorp, Dirk (2018). The England Women's FC 1972–2018: The Lionesses – A Statistical Record. Soccer Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-86223-391-1.
  54. ↑ "The Queen visits Brunel University". Press release. Brunel University. 19 May 2006. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  55. ↑ "Ghana's envoy to the UK wins Person of the Year Award". Press release. Ghana High Commission UK. 7 July 2004. Archived from the original on 14 August 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  56. ↑ "Ghana Professional Awards (GPA) 2004". Voice of Africa Radio. Archived from the original on 27 January 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  57. ↑ "Anita earns Award boost". Women's Premier League. Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
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