Erica Meg Parkinson

Erica Meg Parkinson (born 18 April 2008), also known just as Erica Meg, is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Born in Singapore, she is an England youth international.

Early life Parkinson was born on 18 April 2008 in Singapore to a Japanese mother and English father. She attended an international school and speaks four languages. While in Singapore, she played for JSSL Singapore. She moved to Portugal in 2018 with her family after her brother, Denis Parkinson, was scouted to play in the academy at Porto.

Parkinson began her career in 2018 in the seven-a-side U-11 team at FC Foz. She then joined their main academy team during the 2019–20 season, spending the season with the U-13 team.

In 2020, she moved to Leixões and began with the U-13 team before moving to the U-15 team in 2021.

Also in 2022–23, Parkinson was also associated with the first team in the Campeonato Nacional II Divisão Feminino. She was given shirt number 20 in early 2023 at the age of 14 but did not play a single senior match for the club, leaving at the age of 15 in May 2023. While playing for Leixões, Parkinson was also invited to play for Benfica on several occasions.

Club career

Valadares Gaia Parkinson joined Valadares Gaia in July 2023 and made her debut for the senior team at the age of 15 as an 85th-minute substitute during the 3–0 victory against Damaiense in the Taça de Portugal on 3 August 2023. Her league debut came in the 2–0 loss against Braga on 17 August 2023 and she scored on her first start for the club during the 2–2 draw (later lost on penalties) against Braga in the Taça da Liga on 5 October 2023. On 2 February 2024, she scored her first league goal in the 2–0 victory against FC Famalicão.

Parkinson was permanently moved up to the senior squad on 3 May 2024 at the age of 16. She then reached the 2024–25 Taça da Liga semi-finals and won the 2024–25 AF Porto Taça. She was voted the best young player in the 2024-2025 league season by members of the Portuguese football players' union.

North Carolina Courage

On 1 July 2026, Parkinson joined National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club North Carolina Courage, signing a four-year contract with the option for an additional year. She made her NWSL debut on 18 July, coming on as a halftime substitute for Felicitas Rauch in a 3–0 away loss to Bay FC.

International career

Parkinson is eligible to play for Japan, Singapore, Portugal and England, but chose England as a youth player because it was the first country to invite her to a national training centre. In the same year, she was selected for the U-19 squad, playing at the European Championships, before receiving a call-up for the U-23 squad in 2025. She made her U-23 debut at the age of 17.

In March 2026, still aged 17, she received her first call-up to the England senior squad ahead of 2027 World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Iceland.

Career statistics

Honours Valadares Gaia

Taça AF Porto: 2024–25; 2025–26