Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has been named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025, capping off a defining 12 months that saw her rise to the top of the women’s game. The 25-year-old becomes only the second goalkeeper to win the award, following former England teammate Mary Earps’ victory in 2023.
Hampton’s year has been nothing short of extraordinary. For Chelsea, she played a pivotal role in securing a historic domestic treble, keeping 13 clean sheets in 22 Women’s Super League fixtures and helping the Blues finish the campaign unbeaten. She also delivered commanding performances in both the Women’s FA Cup and Women’s League Cup finals, leading Chelsea to silverware in each competition.
Her excellence translated seamlessly onto the international stage. Following the unexpected retirement of Mary Earps, Hampton stepped in as England’s undisputed No. 1 heading into UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland. She proved indispensable throughout the tournament — saving penalties in the quarter-final against Sweden and repeating the feat in the final against Spain. Her shootout heroics ensured the Lionesses retained their European crown in dramatic fashion.
This year’s award shortlist included some of the sport’s biggest names — England’s Alessia Russo and Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, and Patri Guijarro — all selected by an expert panel of coaches, players, administrators and journalists. But Hampton’s consistency, leadership, and ability to deliver when it mattered most secured her the top spot in the public vote.
Her recognition at the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year awards comes on top of an already decorated season. Hampton recently became the first-ever winner of the Women’s Lev Yashin Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony and earned a place in the FIFPro Women’s World XI.
Blues head coach Sonia Bompastor, who presented Hampton with the award in a surprise ceremony at Cobham, praised her impact on and off the field, describing her as “one of our leaders” and “the best goalkeeper in the world this season.”
From lifting trophies with Chelsea to leading England to European glory, Hampton’s rise has been remarkable. Her award honours not just a standout year, but the emergence of a goalkeeper who has firmly established herself among the global elite.
