Steph Houghton is appointed ambassador for UEFA

Steph Houghton, pictured in action for England.

The former Sunderland and Leeds ladies player, who now plays for Manchester City Women and captains the England side has been signed up as a women's football development ambassador.

Steph, who is from South Hetton, will join Camille Abily, Verónica Boquete, Laura Georges and Lotta Schelin in the role, acting as a role model to young females wishing to participate in football.

In an interview with her club, she said: "It was a bit of a surprise for me but trying to grow the women's game is something I feel really strongly about.

"Hopefully, it will help UEFA as well to become the best it can be - especially in England."

The announcement follows December's news the skipper will receive an MBE.

In 2015, she led England's Lionesses to their highest-ever finish at the World Cup in Canada, earning a bronze medal, and she also represented Team GB at the Olympics at London 2012.

In addition, the defender is a Digital Ambassador for the FA WSL, and made history in 2014 as the first woman to feature on the front cover of Shoot Magazine.