A YOUNG footballer from Ellesmere Port has taken home a prestigious prize for her performances this season as part of Manchester United’s academy.

Eva Bold, 12, has been a part of the club’s academy set up since the age of six and received the Emma Fletcher Academy Player of the Year trophy at a ceremony held at Old Trafford on Friday, May 17.

The award is the highest honour awarded by the club’s academy and was recently renamed after United's inspirational head of girl’s football development.

The 12-year-old superstar also collected the Team Player of the Year award.

Dad, John, said he was “incredibly proud” of his daughter’s achievements.

“She’s been at Manchester United since she was six years old and was one of the youngest to ever sign for them.

“This season she’s captained the team to the U12s Cup Final, which they won in May, beating the boys.

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“This is the equivalent of the boys’ Jimmy Murphy Award which the likes of [Marcus] Rashford have won, and she is the youngest recipient of it. I’m immensely proud.”

Eva has played in the iconic number seven shirt, which awarded by the academy to only the best players, for the past two seasons and was given the honour of representing the club at a service to commemorate the passing of legendary midfielder Sir Bobby Charlton.

She also plays futsal at international level and for Vauxhall Motors Boys in the Junior Premier League.

Despite her continued success, John says that Eva is very humble.

“It’s a massive honour but she’s taken it all in her stride and she’s up there with the best in the country,” he added.