Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) learner Lexi Potter has joined the ranks of other ground-breaking Loughborough College learners, making history as the youngest female football player to sign a professional contract in England at age 17.
Securing a three-year deal with her childhood club, Chelsea FC, Lexi now will spend this season on loan with London-based Crystal Palace FC, developing experience on the pitch as a first-team player.
Box-to-box midfielder Lexi has already shown exciting promise, having captained England’s Under-17’s side to a semi-final place at the UEFA Women’s U17 Euros in Estonia earlier this year and playing a vital part in Chelsea’s FA Women’s Academy Cup final triumph over Manchester United at the end of last season. More recently, she has joined the Lionesses at St. George’s Park, the national training ground for both men’s and women’s teams. With her representing the U19 squad are fellow elite sports learners Hannah Poulter, Ria Bose, Evie Rabjohn, Jessica Simpson, Mari Ward, Ashanti Akpan, Grace Ede, Shauna Guyatt, Louise Marley-Paraskevas, Ava Baker, Freya Godfrey, and Georgia Mullett.
Deputy of Elite Sport at Loughborough College, Kay Noble said, “Everyone at Loughborough College is proud of Lexi becoming the youngest ever female player to sign a professional footballing contract in England. Lexi has been an exemplary student throughout her college programme, and she applies the same work ethic to her sport.
“Even with the success she is currently experiencing, Lexi has still fully dedicated herself to her college work. With her mindset, Lexi is set to have a bright future both on and off the football pitch.”
Loughborough College is a national leader in elite sport development, and the official education provider of all clubs in the Women’s Super League. Previous learners in the women’s professional game include current England Lioness Jordan Nobbs, Manchester City defender Steph Houghton, and 2023 PFA Merit Award winner Jill Scott.