Lucy Bronze awarded with Freedom of Northumberland honour

After a glittering career in women’s football, Lucy Bronze has become just the fourth person to be awarded with the Freedom of Northumberland.

Lucy Bronze honoured by Northumberland

Berwick-born Lucy Bronze is one of the most iconic names in women’s football and with a highly impressive career spanning across the last 12 years, there is no-one more deserving of the Freedom of Northumberland award.

Lucy Bronze has become the latest recipient to be awarded the Freedom of Northumberland! 👏 pic.twitter.com/tIhkcJLXME

— (C)helsea FC Women 🏆🏆🏆 (@ChelseaFCW) June 6, 2025

Bronze began her football journey for local team Alnwick Town, where she broke into the boys team before kickstarting her senior career in women’s football with a move to Sunderland.

After bursting onto the scene with Sunderland, Bronze took her talents to the WSL where she played for a number of the league’s biggest teams.

The 33-year-old has played for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City (two stints) and Chelsea over the years, winning the league on four separate occasions with three different clubs.

Northumberland will always be home for Lucy Bronze

It is really Bronze’s dedication on the international stage that earned her the Freedom of Northumberland award though, as the defender was recognised for her achievements with England over the years – including being a part of the Lionesses winning team at Euro 2022.

Bronze has been included in Sarina Wiegman’s Euro 2025 squad ahead of this summer’s tournament and the full-back is sure to play a crucial role again as England look to win back to back championships.

#WEURO2025 is set to be Lucy Bronze’s seventh major tournament and her fourth consecutive EUROs 👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/TSvqIUPQre

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 5, 2025

“It’s surreal,” Bronze said after winning the award. “Finding out that there’s only four people who have been given the award previously in the last decade makes you realise what an honour it really is.”

Only one other footballer has been honoured with the award in its short history, as Newcastle and England defender Dan Burn picked his up in May after leading the Magpies to FA Cup glory and a first trophy since 1955.

“The North East is home for me,” Bronze continued. “Obviously, I have been in so many different places in my life but this is where I call home – this is where I compare everywhere to.

“It’s always nice to come back – although I don’t get to come back often.”

As well as her stints in the WSL, Bronze also played for Lyon and Barcelona where she racked up a total of five Champions League titles.