Katie Zelem is an English professional soccer player and TV personality. She is best known as the captain and midfielder for club Manchester United in the FA Women’s Super League starting in 2018. Between 2013 and 2017, she played for Liverpool, and between 2017 and 2018 for Juventus.
Born Name
Katie Leigh Zelem
Nick Name
Zel
Katie Zelem in an Instagram selfie as seen in January 2019 (Katie Zelem / Instagram)
Sun Sign
Aquarius
Born Place
Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Residence
Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Nationality
Occupation
Professional Soccer Player, TV Personality
Family
Father – Alan Zelem (Former Professional Goalkeeper for Macclesfield Town F.C.)
Mother – Gillian Zelem
Siblings – None
Others – Peter Zelem (Uncle) (Former Professional Soccer Player), Ross Zelem (Cousin) (Played cricket for Lancashire and soccer for Oldham schools), Louise Zelem (Cousin)
Manager
Katie Zelem is represented by –
KIN Partners (Talent Agent) in London, England, United Kingdom
Next Level Collective (Talent Agent) in the United Kingdom
Shirt Number
5 – Juventus
10 – Manchester United
20 – Liverpool
Playing Position
Midfielder
Build
Athletic
Height
5 ft 4 in or 162.5 cm
Weight
53 kg or 117 lbs
Katie Zelem in an Instagram post in March 2020 (Katie Zelem / Instagram)
Katie Zelem in an Instagram post in September 2019 (Katie Zelem / Instagram)
Katie Zelem Facts
She started playing soccer at the age of 6, greatly influenced by her dad.
Her parents enrolled her in the Manchester United Girls’ Centre of Excellence academy at the age of 8.
She stayed at the Manchester United’s academy for 8 years, between 2004 and 2013, and only left because there was no senior team she could graduate into.
She broke her collarbone on April 11, 2014, which stopped her from playing for Liverpool at the start of the 2014 FA WSL season.
Her dad always came to every game she played in, at home or away, and sat at the same spot in the crowd. When her mom booked a holiday, he demanded she postpones it so he can watch Katie play.
At the end of each game, her dad gives her what she calls a “run-through” or a “scout report” on how she and others performed.
Katie was nominated for the title of the “WSL Development Player of the Year” alongside Natasha Baptiste and Carla Humphrey in 2014. Natasha won the title but Katie was named Liverpool‘s “Young Player of the Year”.
In late 2014 and early 2015, she was compared to a well-known soccer player, Frank Lampard, by Liverpool‘s coach Matt Beard. He also predicted her a great career ahead.
She is inseparable with her teammates, Martha Harris, with whom she played in Liverpool, and Jessica Sigsworth, with whom she played in Manchester United.
Katie was the 1st ever player to win the Manchester United Women’s “Player of the Month” award in March 2019. At the end of that season, she also won the “Player of the Year” award.
She was named Manchester United‘s women club captain ahead of the 2019-2020 season after Alex Greenwood signed a contract with Olympique Lyonnais and departed.
She stated that if people asked some of the girls in Manchester United, they’d say she was quite vocal and has always been. Katie added she was “chewing their ear off” because she wanted them to improve and become the best players they can be.
Katie used to be the “dressing room DJ” until she took the mantle of the club captain. Her “replacements” were Millie Turner and Mollie Green, who also love to listen to dance and R&B as Katie does.
She thinks Leah Galton and Jessica Sigsworth are the fastest players in her Manchester United squad. On the other hand, Lauren James is the most skillful player, according to her.
Katie is the slowest at getting ready among her club teammates.
