Alice de Koster-Kitto 8/10/24
Above: Milly Boughton in action for The Young Matildas. Photo: Football Australia.
Arsenal have announced the signing of 18-Year-Old Australian midfielder Milly Boughton to their U21s squad, from Tottenham. With a wealth of experience, and a promising future ahead, the Young Matilda is certainly one to watch.
Born in South London, Milly Boughton moved to NSW at the age of two and went on to play for Football NSW while attending Westfield Sports High School. Milly moved back to London with family, halfway through her final season with FNSW, and trialed for West Ham United in 2022. Less than a year after being selected for the U21s squad, Boughton was training with West Ham’s first team, during the February international break. The experience only furthered her drive to work toward joining the first team.
Boughton’s first season with West Ham was an impressive one, starting 12 matches, and scoring 8 goals, assisting the Hammers towards a 7th-place finish in the WSL Academy League Southern Division.
The 23/24 season saw a move for the Australian, signing with Tottenham, after a year at West Ham. The transfer would prove to be an exciting one for the midfielder, as she became the youngest Australian to play at the senior level in the WSL. After becoming a regular for the U21s side, she was invited to train with the first team, shortly before making her senior debut for the club, in 3-0 win over Bristol City, during the Conti Cup in November 2023.
Following a successful few years at club level, Boughton received her first international call up for the U20s Asian Women’s Cup Qualifiers. She later went on to make the 25 Player squad for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, with Australia finishing in 3rd place.
In January 2024, Milly Boughton signed with Ipswich Town on dual registration, alongside fellow Spurs midfielder Elkie Bowyer until the end of the season. After a short stint with the club, Boughton has returned to North London, signing with her previous club’s rival, Arsenal.
Boughton has already proven herself to be a valuable asset to the club’s U21 squad, scoring a brace on her debut, in a 4-0 win against Brighton. Her talents are set to thrive as she plays alongside the PGA Southern League champions. She is joined at Arsenal’s academy by several notable young players, including Naomi Williams, Laila Halbert, and Vivianne Lia, all of whom are no strangers to the clubs first team. Having regularly trained and played with fellow Academy alumni, and European Champions, Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy, Boughtons teammates bring a wealth of experience that has no doubt created an environment for the young midfielder to flourish.
This latest signing makes for the fourth Australian to join the Gunners. Should she be called to train with her academy teammates in senior sessions, Boughton will be alongside fellow Australians Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, and Kyra Cooney-Cross, all of whom are key players for both club and country. In addition to training with fellow Matildas, Boughton has the opportunity to train alongside world-class midfielders from Arsenal’s first team, such as Kim Little and Lia Wälti. Across all of its teams, the club is known for its dynamic midfield, being in an environment like this offers invaluable experience that will undoubtedly hone her skills as a player and provide a competitive edge in her career, benefiting both her club and country.
Demonstrating remarkable promise as a midfielder at a young age, it’s no surprise that Arsenal has taken such an interest in the Australian player. Renowned for having one of the strongest midfields in the league, Arsenal is dedicated to nurturing young players, while maintaining its attacking force in the coming years, as the current squad transitions. Milly’s experience and natural skill make her an ideal fit for the Academy squad, and she is sure to continue developing, with the potential to enhance the already dominant midfield of the first team in the future.
While the current Young Matildas squad is stacked full of local talent, it must be noted that a majority of Australia’s next generation of footballers, primarily play within their home country, in the Ninja A-League. Boughtons overseas experience brings a fresh playing style to the squad that can only be beneficial in propelling the squad toward further international success.
Following a remarkable few years in football, Milly Boughton has shown immense potential and is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most exciting emerging talents. Matildas and Arsenal fans alike can look forward to witnessing her development over the next season.
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