Caroline Weir

Caroline Weir
Weir (9) playing for Scotland at UEFA Women's Euro 2017
Personal information
Full name Caroline Elspeth Lillias Weir[1]
Date of birth (1995-06-20) 20 June 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Scotland[a]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder / Forward[2]
Team information
Current team
 Real Madrid
Number 10
Youth career
Elgin Star
2005–2011 Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Hibernian 40 (21)
2013–2015 Arsenal 16 (0)
2015 Bristol Academy 8 (3)
2016–2018 Liverpool 41 (13)
2018–2022 Manchester City 66 (22)
2022– Real Madrid 34 (22)
International career‡
2009 Scotland U15 2 (1)
2010–2011 Scotland U17 13 (9)
2011–2014 Scotland U19 30 (20)
2013– Scotland 102 (17)
2021– Great Britain 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 05:17, 10 March 2024 (UTC)

Caroline Elspeth Lillias Weir (born 20 June 1995) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Spanish Liga F club Real Madrid CF and the Scotland national team.

She began her career in Scotland with Hibernian, moving to Arsenal aged 18 and spending the next nine years in English football with Bristol Academy, Liverpool and Manchester City, winning four trophies (two FA Women's Cups and two WSL Cups) in her time at City. She joined Real Madrid in 2022, becoming the first Scottish player in the top division of Spanish women's football.

Weir made her full international debut in 2013, and played for Scotland at the UEFA Euro 2017 and 2019 FIFA World Cup tournaments. She also featured for the rarely-assembled Great Britain team at the 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021).

Club career

Elgin Star

Raised in Dunfermline, Weir began her footballing journey playing for local boys' team Elgin Star FC in the Fife Football Development League at Pitreavie Playing Fields between 2003 and 2005. She played as a midfielder in the 7-a-side games, invariably scoring two to three goals each game and regularly receiving the player of the match award.

Hibernian

Weir started her career in the Hibernian youth system from the age of ten.[3] In 2011, she won the SWFL First Division player of the year award for her performances in Hibs' reserve side while also making her first team debut in May against Glasgow City.[4][5]

Arsenal

Weir joined FA WSL side Arsenal in July 2013 after leaving high school.[6][7] Whilst at Arsenal, Weir won the FA Women's Cup[8] in 2014 but was unable to establish herself as a regular starter.

Bristol Academy

On 9 July 2015, it was announced that Weir left Arsenal for FA WSL side Bristol Academy.[9]

Liverpool

On 18 January 2016, it was announced that Weir had left relegated Bristol to sign for Liverpool.[10][11] While with the Reds, she won the club's Ladies Player of the Year Award for 2016.[12]

Manchester City

On 1 June 2018, Manchester City announced the signing of Weir.[13] She won the Player of the Match award in the 2019 WSL Cup Final as Manchester City defeated her former club Arsenal 4–2 on penalties.[14]

Weir scored the winner, a 25-yard strike, as Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1–0 in the inaugural Manchester derby on 7 September 2019.[15][16] The goal was subsequently nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2020.[17]

On 31 January 2020, she signed a new contract with Manchester City until 2022.[18]

On 29 November 2021, another goal against Manchester United on 12 February 2021 – a chip from the edge of the area[19] – was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2021.[20] Almost exactly a year later she scored a very similar goal against the same opposition.[21][22]

Real Madrid

On 7 July 2022, Real Madrid announced the signing of Weir on a free transfer.[23][24] Shortly after that, a statement was released about a "hold on processing of non-EU licences", affecting the signing of Weir, who was not registered with Real Madrid before 30 June.[25] A month later she scored a goal that knocked her previous club Manchester City out of Champions League qualifying and enabled Madrid to progress the second phase.[26]

Weir suffered damage to her anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty in September 2023[27] and was out of action for a year. Shortly after her return from the injury in October 2024, she "curled in a brilliant opener from distance" to open the scoring in a 2024–25 UEFA Women's Champions League fixture against Celtic which Read Madrid won 4–0;[28] it was the first time she had played a club match against a Scottish team since Arsenal defeated Glasgow City in the 2013–14 edition of the same tournament,[29] a few months after Weir left Hibernian for the English league.

International career

Scotland

Having represented Scotland at all youth levels, Weir received her first call-up for the Scotland senior squad for their match against Iceland in June 2013.[30][31] She retained her place in the squad for the following game against Germany. During Euro 2017, the first major tournament for which Scotland had qualified, Weir scored the opening goal against Spain and was voted player of the game. She helped Scotland qualify for the 2019 FIFA World Cup, and played in all of their three matches at the tournament. During the 2023 FIFA World Cup UEFA play-off match against Ireland, which the Scots lost 1–0, Weir had a penalty saved.[32] After missing more than a year of football due to injury, she was recalled to the national squad in October 2024.[33]

Great Britain Olympic team

Weir was one of two Scots selected by Great Britain for the 2020 Summer Olympics, along with Kim Little.[34] She was initially credited with scoring in the 1–1 draw with Canada, but it was later denoted as an own goal by Nichelle Prince.[35][36] She also had a penalty saved during their 4–3 loss to Australia in the quarter-final.[37]

Career statistics

International appearances

Scotland statistics accurate as of match played 26 September 2023.[38]
Great Britain statistics accurate as of match played 2 August 2021.
Year Scotland Great Britain
Apps Goals Apps Goals
2013 5 0 —
2014 6 1 —
2015 12 4 —
2016 7 0 —
2017 14 1 —
2018 11 0 —
2019 13 3 —
2020 7 2 —
2021 8 2 4 0
2022 10 2 —
2023 9 2 —
Total 102 17 4 0

International goals

Results list Scotland's goal tally first.[38]
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored
1 13 September 2014 Fir Park, Motherwell  Faroe Islands 9–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qual. 1
2, 3 8 February 2015 Solitude, Belfast  Northern Ireland 4–0 Friendly 2
4 23 October 2015 Fir Park, Motherwell  Belarus 7–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qual. 1
5 27 October 2015 Petar Miloševski Training Centre, Skopje  Macedonia 4–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 equal. 1
6 27 July 2017 De Adelaarshorst, Deventer, Netherlands  Spain 1–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 1
7 17 January 2019 La Manga Club Football Stadium, La Manga, Spain  Norway 1–3 Friendly 1
8 28 May 2019 Hampden Park, Glasgow  Jamaica 3–2 Friendly 1
9 30 August 2019 Easter Road, Edinburgh  Cyprus 8–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qual. 1
10, 11 23 October 2020 Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh  Albania 3–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qual. 2
12 19 February 2021 AEK Arena, Larnaca  Cyprus 10–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qual. 1
13 10 June 2021 Solitude, Belfast  Northern Ireland 1–0 Friendly 1
14 24 June 2022 Stadion Miejski w Rzeszowie [pl], Rzeszów  Ukraine 4–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qual. 1
15 6 September 2022 Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn  Faroe Islands 6–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qual. 1
16 11 April 2023 Hampden Park, Glasgow  Costa Rica 4–0 Friendly 1
17 18 July 2023 Tampere Stadium, Tampere  Finland 2–1 Friendly 1

Honours

Arsenal[8]

Manchester City

Individual

  • Liga F AFE Player of the Season: 2022–23[40]

References

  1. ^ Secondary sources state Dunfermline; credible but primary information asserting it to be Paisley.
  1. ^ a b "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: List of Players: Scotland" (PDF). FIFA. 7 July 2019. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Caroline Weir player profile". Manchester City F.C. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  3. ^ Payne, Richard. "Weir up for Arsenal challenge". Scottish Women's Football Association. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Caroline Weir". Hibernian Girls & Ladies FC. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Shannon honoured with top award". Women's Soccer Scene. 2 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Arsenal Ladies confirm double signing". arsenal.com. Arsenal FC. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Arsenal Bound". Dunfermline High School. Fife Council. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Women's FA Cup final: Arsenal beat Everton to retain trophy". BBC.com.
  9. ^ "Scotland International joins the Vixens". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  10. ^ Hart, Ross (19 January 2016). "Dunfermline born Scotland star Caroline Weir signs for Liverpool Ladies". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  11. ^ Hunter, Steve (18 January 2016). "Liverpool Ladies sign Scotland star Caroline Weir". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Caroline Weir named LFC Ladies Player of the Season". Liverpool FC.com.
  13. ^ Whithey, Abi (1 June 2018). "Caroline Weir signs for City". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  14. ^ a b Oatway, Caroline (23 February 2019). "Bardsley heroics clinch Conti Cup". mancity.com. Manchester City FC. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Weir: A privilege to play in historic derby". ManCity.com. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  16. ^ TrueView: 360 view of Weir's stunning derby winner, Manchester City FC, 31 March 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2022
  17. ^ "When Weir's rocket sparked derby delight". fifa.com. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Caroline Weir: Manchester City Women midfielder extends contract to 2022". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  19. ^ Caroline Weir Chip Goal Vs Man Utd Women For City Women 2021 & Alex Greenwood Reaction, Soccer Blogger, 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022
  20. ^ Caroline Weir in running for FIFA’s Puskas Award for second year running, The Independent, 29 November 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022
  21. ^ Weir scores brilliant late winner as City beat United in Manchester derby, BBC Sport, 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022
  22. ^ Caroline Weir’s sublime chip seals WSL derby win for Manchester City, The Guardian, 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022
  23. ^ Coyle, Andy (7 July 2022). "Scotland attacker Caroline Weir completes move to Real Madrid". STV News. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  24. ^ Shah, Parshva (7 July 2022). "OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Sign Caroline Weir". Managing Madrid. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  25. ^ "RFEF announces hold on processing of non-EU licenses; affects Caroline Weir signing". 11 July 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  26. ^ "Real Madrid 1–0 Manchester City in Women's Champions League". BBC Sport. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Caroline Weir: Scotland & Real Madrid star suffers ACL injury". BBC Sport. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  28. ^ Real Madrid 4–0 Celtic, Adam Binnie, BBC Sport, 17 October 2024
  29. ^ [https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/match/2013075--glasgow-city-vs-arsenal/ Glasgow City Glasgow City FC 2–3 Arsenal], UEFA
  30. ^ "Iceland Women 2–3 Scotland Women: Hibs women key". The Scotsman. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  31. ^ "Weir ready!". Scottish Women's FA. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  32. ^ "Former Hibs striker Caroline Weir misses penalty as Scotland fail to qualify for 2023 World Cup". Edinburgh News. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  33. ^ SWNT squad named for Euros play-off, Scottish Football Association, 14 October 2024
  34. ^ "Team GB: Steph Houghton, Sophie Ingle and Caroline Weir selected". BBC Sport. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  35. ^ Sanders, Emma (27 July 2021). "Canada 1–1 GB". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Football - Canada vs Great Britain - Group E Results". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  37. ^ McPartlin, Patrick (30 July 2021). "Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Heartbreak for Caroline Weir as she misses penalty in Team GB's quarter-final defeat by Australia". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  38. ^ a b Caroline Weir at the Scottish Football Association
  39. ^ Garry, Tom (4 May 2019). "Women's FA Cup final 2018–19: Manchester City Women 3–0 West Ham United Women". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  40. ^ "WEIR, AFE 2022/23 LIGA F BEST PLAYER". onefootball.com.
  41. ^ "Weir named as 2016 Vauxhall Player of the Year". Scottish FA.co.uk.
  42. ^ "Caroline Weir named BT Women's Player of the Year". Scottish FA.co.uk.
  43. ^ Alison McConnell (1 May 2022). "Caroline Weir discusses her future amid Real Madrid link after winning SFWA Scottish Women's Player of the Year". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  44. ^ "Dunfermline born footballer Caroline Weir wins Sporting Breakthrough Award at 2017 Nordoff Robbins Scotland Scottish Sporting Awards". Dunfermline Press.com.
  45. ^ "February Barclays FA Women's Super League monthly awards". Sky Sports. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  46. ^ "WEIR WINS DECEMBER FA WSL POTM AWARD". mancity.com.
  47. ^ "PFA Teams of the year". bbc.co.uk.
  48. ^ "CITY DUO IN PFA WSL TEAM OF THE YEAR". mancity.com.
  49. ^ "FOUR CITY PLAYERS NAMED IN PFA WSL TEAM OF THE YEAR". mancity.com.
  50. ^ "2021–22 PFA WSL Team Of The Year". The Professional Footballers' Association. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  51. ^ "Nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020 revealed". Fifa.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020.
  52. ^ "FIFA Puskás Award: 11 best goals announced". Fifa.com.
  53. ^ "Weir named Cinco Estrellas Mahou player of the season". realmadrid.com.
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