Double celebrations for birthday girl Lottie

RISING football star Lottie Day marked her 16th birthday in Spain, representing her country against one of the best sides in the world.

Then just nine days later the teenager was selected for Sheffield United's first team, making her one of the youngest players ever to play for a first team, in a league cup match against Durham.

Just a year since she was selected for England Football's Pro Game Academy and moved from York City to Sheffield United, her remarkable football trajectory has seen her established in the U21s, called up to represent England at both U16 and U17 levels and named in the match day squad for the first team pre-season, in addition to her senior competitive debut.

Narrowly losing one-nil in searing temperatures of 31 degrees, the Ripon Grammar School student played right back for the Women’s England U17 team in Benidorm.

“It was a fantastic experience playing Spain, one of the best sides in the world. It was real challenge to compete against players a year older than us, but an amazing test as we prepare for the Euros and World Cup."

The central midfielder, who was also called up to fly out to play against Denmark and Norway during the summer holidays, celebrated her 16th birthday with her England team mates at their training camp in Alicante.

On her return to Sheffield she was delighted to be picked for the first team: "It's a big step up and I'm so grateful for the opportunity and to the team for being so welcoming and supportive.

"When I set my season's goals with my Sheffield Blades coaches and said that by the end of the season I'd like to strive for a first team appearance , I had no idea it would come so soon."

Lottie, who lives between Ripon and Thirsk, is an Arsenal fan, and began playing football when she was seven.

She confesses she is now obsessed with the game and her ambition is to be a professional footballer: “After RGS, I would love to play for a top Women’s Super League team and my dream is to play for Arsenal.”