England heroine Chloe Kelly fought back against Arsenal rejection and a career-threatening injury to become the Lionesses’ Euro winner

ENGLAND star Chloe Kelly secured her place as a household name after scoring a dramatic winner in the Euro 2022 final.

The 24-year-old, who came on as a second-half substitute, emerged in the 110th minute to shoot from under Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms.

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It was only her second goal for the Lioness since her debut in November 2018 but it turned out to be the biggest goal ever for England as they lifted their first major trophy.

A historic strike was followed by one of Wembley’s most iconic celebrations, as she stripped off her top before swinging it around her head as she charged across the pitch.

England fans even called for the London native to become the next Prime Minister after her emphatic appearance off the bench.

From taking the 92 bus from her home in Ealing to Wembley only to buy an FA Cup final program as a youngster, Kelly will forever be known as an England legend.

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Her rise to the top is even more impressive considering she’s only just recovered from a career-threatening ACL injury.

The Manchester City forward picked up the horrifying right knee injury that kept her on the sidelines until April in May 2021.

As a result, she was forced to miss the Tokyo Olympics, where Team GB was knocked out by Australia in the quarter-finals.

And earlier this month, Kelly revealed that the euro fitness battle was the only thing that kept her going during her rehab.

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She said: “It was tough, but I knew what I put into recovery would benefit.

“I always had my goal with the Euros, so that you can get through every day.

“But now I’m here, it seems so long ago that you might have had those difficult conversations where you feel ready and unable to move on in your rehab.

“These are the difficult times at this time, but when you get back on the pitch you forget all that.

“You just appreciate it a little more to be back on the pitch.”

Kelly, who was at the QPR academy before joining Arsenal, spent two hours traveling there and back by train when she was young to train with the north London giants.

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She appeared to be on the way to greatness when she scored in the 22nd minute against Watford in July 2015 on her Continental Cup debut aged 17.

But after scoring five goals in just 16 games, she was allowed to join Everton on a first loan deal before the Toffees flipped the switch permanently.

After four years on Merseyside, City called 2020 where they enjoyed a stunning first season at Academy Stadium.

She scored 16 goals in 34 appearances and helped City win the FA Cup. Her good form saw her win the club’s Player of the Season award.

Kelly was even named to the PFA’s Team of the Year and was crowned Player of the Year at the North West Football Awards in November 2020.

Despite her injury, longtime partner Scott’s doting girlfriend was rewarded with a new contract in February until 2025.

Kelly’s attention will now turn to the 2022-23 women’s Super League season, which begins in September, where she will look to fire City to their first title since 2016.

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