In a groundbreaking development, 17-year-old football sensation Zaiba Ishaque, hailing from a British-Pakistani background, has officially inked a U21 contract with the esteemed Manchester United Women’s team.
This momentous achievement signifies her historic ascent as the first-ever British-Pakistani female footballer to rise through the ranks in the highly competitive English Women’s Super League.
Her remarkable journey aligns with the burgeoning trend of British South Asians leaving an indelible mark on the women’s football scene in England.
Ishaque’s narrative beautifully parallels the emergence of other exceptionally talented British Pakistani female footballers, including Mariam Mahmood at West Bromwich Albion, Layla Banaras at Birmingham City, and noteworthy Pakistani internationals such as Nadia Khan (Doncaster Rovers Belles), Zahmena Malik (London Seaward), and Amina Hanif (London Bees).
Zaiba’s football odyssey commenced when a perceptive schoolteacher, doubling as an academy coach at Burnley FC, recognized her immense potential and recommended her for inclusion in the club’s youth setup.
After a brief stint with Burnley, Ishaque secured a coveted spot at the Liverpool FC academy, where she spent two highly productive years, only to be momentarily halted by an unfortunate knee injury.
Upon her triumphant return to fitness, she dedicated three years to honing her skills at Manchester City, showcasing remarkable growth within the club’s U14s and U16s squads before executing a pivotal transfer to Manchester United in July 2022.
At Manchester United, Ishaque has been consistently making a name for herself, predominantly excelling in the role of a fullback.
Zaiba Ishaque’s awe-inspiring journey symbolizes the surging influence of British South Asian talent in women’s football, alluding to even grander accomplishments awaiting in the future.
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