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Safia Middleton-Patel
Wales international footballer (born 2004) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Safia Middleton-Patel (born 21 September 2004) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United of the Women's Super League, and the Wales national team.[1]
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Club career
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Manchester United
Having made five appearances for Liverpool under-16s youth team,[2] Middleton-Patel joined Women's Super League club Manchester United in summer 2020.[3] During the 2021–22 season, she was part of the under-21 team that won the WSL Academy League and Academy Cup double.[3] She was named to her first senior matchday squad for the club on 5 February 2022, a WSL match against Arsenal.[4] She signed her first senior professional contract with the club in January 2023.[5]
Loan spells
In November 2021, Middleton-Patel joined Blackburn Rovers of the Women's Championship on dual registration terms.[6] She was named to two matchday squads that month but did not make a senior appearance.[1]
On 12 March 2022, she joined WSL club Leicester City on an emergency goalkeeper loan for an away trip to Everton following injuries to Demi Lambourne and Kirstie Levell.[7] She was an unused substitute behind Sophie Harris as Leicester lost 3–2.[8]
On 11 February 2023, Middleton-Patel joined Championship club Coventry United on an emergency goalkeeper loan for a home match against Blackburn Rovers.[9] She made her senior debut the following day, starting as Coventry won 3–1.[10] In total she played three matches, conceding nine goals.
On 26 April 2023, Middleton-Patel returned to Blackburn Rovers on an emergency loan deal.[11] Four days later, she kept her first clean sheet in senior football as Blackburn beat Sunderland 1–0.[12]
On 19 January 2024, she joined Championship club Watford on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.[13][14] She made a total of six appearances, keeping two clean sheets and conceding eight goals, as Watford finished last and were relegated.
2024–25 season
Following the summer departure of Mary Earps, Middleton-Patel assumed the role of backup behind Phallon Tullis-Joyce. On 11 December 2024, she made her Manchester United debut in the final group stage game of the 2024–25 Women's League Cup against Championship side Newcastle United. United won 5–3.
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International career
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Youth
Middleton-Patel represented Wales at under-17 and under-19, appearing during 2020 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualification and 2022 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualification as well as 2022 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship qualification.
Senior
In September 2022, Middleton-Patel received her first senior Wales call-up for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Slovenia but did not appear.[15] She was recalled to the squad during the next two windows, for two further qualifiers and a friendly but again did not appear for the team. On 15 February 2023, Middleton-Patel made her senior international debut, aged 18, when she started against the Philippines at the 2023 Pinatar Cup.[16] She played the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 victory for Wales.[17] She departed camp prior to the second game in order to appear for the under-19 team.[18]
During her third cap on 8 April 2025, Middleton-Patel was awarded player of the match for her performance in a 1–1 UEFA Women's Nations League draw against Sweden.[19] In June that year, she was named in Wales' squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2025.[20] By playing at the tournament, she became the first female player of Asian heritage to play for Wales at a major tournament.[21]
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Personal life
Middleton-Patel was born in Wales to an Indian father and a Welsh mother on 21 September 2004.[22][23][24]
In September 2023, Middleton-Patel revealed via social media that she had recently been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.[25][26]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 11 December 2024.[1]
International
- Statistics accurate as of match played 9 July 2025.[1]
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Honours
Manchester United
- Women's FA Cup runner-up: 2024–25[27]
References
External links
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