Angel City Football Club (ACFC) is excited to announce the appointment of the club’s first-ever Sporting Director, Eniola Aluko.

One of England’s most dazzling strikers, Eniola made 102 appearances for the England women’s national team, played in three FIFA Women’s World Cups and two UEFA Women’s Euro competitions, and represented her country at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Her impressive club career also saw her play for Europe’s top teams, including Chelsea FC and Italy’s Juventus and Women’s Professional League clubs in the U.S. with St. Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat, and Sky Blue FC.

Prior to her successful tenure as Director of Women’s Football at Aston Villa FC, where she oversaw the club’s first season in England’s highest level of competition, Eniola became a lawyer, and since retiring from her playing career in 2020, she has made regular television appearances as a highly-regarded soccer expert.

“Appointing Eniola Aluko, a world-renowned international soccer player with extensive experience in technical positions, is a landmark moment for us,” said Julie Uhrman, Founder and President of Angel City FC. “She personifies the values of our club and shares our passion to challenge the status quo, push boundaries and try new things. We have been a fan of Eni’s for many years now, and to be able to see her bring her winning spirit, dedication, and experience to ACFC is as real as it gets. This is a huge milestone in our journey, and we could not be more excited to welcome her to the team.”

Eniola will play an integral role in the continued development of Angel City FC, focusing on setting the course for the club’s culture, gameplay philosophy, and principles ahead of the team taking the field in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022. As Sporting Director, Eniola will lead roster management, the club’s recruitment strategy, oversee player and technical staff development, and act as the NWSL liaison, managing compliance and administration.

“This is an incredible opportunity to help write Angel City’s first chapter and to build a team that is people-focused and admired by players and fans all over the world. I have no doubt the club will be a trailblazer, not just in the NWSL and women’s soccer, but for sports clubs globally. As a former player, the club’s determination to make an impact both on the field and in the community is something that I fully support, and I can’t wait to get started. I am thrilled to join a fantastic female led ownership group, many of whom I have admired and been inspired by from a young age.”