Kyra Cooney-Cross wins Young Midfielder of the Year at Festival of Women’s Football Awards

Kyra Cooney-Cross has been named the Young Midfielder of the Year at the inaugural Festival of Women’s Football Awards.

The midfielder was nominated alongside Crystal Palace's Alexia Potter, Manchester City's Aoba Fujino and Jessica Park, Leicester City's Ruby Mace and Liverpool's Marie Hobinger.

The award was for rising stars aged 23 or under, with Cooney-Cross claiming the inaugural award for her standout season with Arsenal.

Cooney-Cross' standout displays for Arsenal and Australia have seen her become an important cog in the midfield of both teams, with the midfielder scoring her first goals for the Gunners and her country in 2024, in spectacular fashion too.

The midfielder had her competition cut out for her in this category, with fellow AFC counterpart, Japan's Aoba Fujino, lighting up the WSL this season with Manchester City, likewise her teammate Jessica Park. 

Kyra wasn't the only Australian nominated on this night, with Mary Fowler also nominated for the Overseas Player of the Year, won by Mariona Caldentey, and the Attacker of the Year, won by Alessia Russo. 

Cooney-Cross is at the business end of her season with Arsenal, with an all-important UWCL semi-final second leg against Lyon ahead of her, as well as a title race on the line.