Kirsty Hanson

Kirsty Rae Hanson (born 17 April 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for English Women's Super League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Scotland national team. Hanson began her career in the youth ranks of Manchester United before spending a year with the Liverpool Development Squad. She made her senior debut with Sheffield FC before joining Doncaster Rovers Belles in late 2016. Hanson returned to Manchester United in July 2018, following the introduction of a senior team at the club.

Club career Liverpool Hanson was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and has a brother. She began playing football around the age of five, and played with the local boy's team Warley Blues before joining West Riding Bradford's Centre of Excellence and Huddersfield Town. Hanson spent her early years in the Manchester United Centre of Excellence, before joining Liverpool's reserve team due to the lack of opportunity to progress with her former club, who did not have a senior team.

Doncaster Rovers Belles In December 2016, Hanson became the Doncaster Rovers Belles' first signing ahead of the FA WSL 2 Spring Series, where the team came second and were able to apply for promotion to the WSL. The Belles missed out on promotion to Everton, and remained in the WSL 2.

She became a key figure for the squad's 2017–18 FA WSL 2 win, scoring 11 times, including three braces.

Manchester United

On 1 July 2018, Hanson joined the newly-formed Manchester United to compete in the FA Women's Championship, one of seven players to return to the senior side having played for the club at youth level. She made her club debut on 19 August in a 1–0 Continental Cup victory against her former club Liverpool, and marked her league debut with a brace in a 12–0 win against Aston Villa. Manchester United were promoted to the Women's Super League at the end of the 2018–19 season. Hanson made her first start of the 2019–20 season against Tottenham Hotspur on 13 October 2019, scoring the first goal as United won 3–0. She was named FA WSL Player of the Month in October 2019.

Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Hanson signed a one-year contract extension with an option for a further year. On 3 February 2021, Hanson signed a new deal with Manchester United until 2024 with the option to extend it for a further year.

Aston Villa On 8 September 2022, Hanson joined fellow WSL side Aston Villa on loan for the 2022–23 season.

On 11 August 2023, Aston Villa signed Hanson permanently on a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. In the 2023–24 FA Women's League Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion, Hanson scored the equaliser for Villa. Aston Villa advanced to the semi-final on penalties. She was named Villa's Player's Player of the Season for her performance across the 2023–24 campaign.

In March 2025, during a 3–1 defeat to Crystal Palace, Hanson made her 100th appearance in the WSL. On 18 July 2025, it was announced that Hanson's contract had been extended to June 2027. Her goal in a 2–0 win against West Ham on 5 October 2025 was named WSL Goal of the Month. In May 2026, it was named Barclay's Goal of the Season.

On 17 June 2026, Villa announced Hanson's departure after 4 seasons at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur Upon her departure from Aston Villa, it was announced that Hanson had signed a long-term contract with Tottenham Hotspur.

International career Hanson was eligible to represent England, having been born in Halifax, and Scotland, where her mother was born.

She played for Scotland at the under-17 and under-19 levels, and scored their only goal at the 2017 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship during a 1–1 draw against host nation Northern Ireland.

In November 2019, after Martha Thomas was forced to withdraw through injury, Hanson received her first senior call-up to the Scotland national team for a UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qualifying match against Albania. She made her debut in the 5–0 victory on 8 November and was named Player of the Match. Hanson scored her first international goal on 19 February 2021 during a 10–0 UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying victory against Cyprus.

Personal life Hanson has a cocker spaniel named Hugo. She is in a relationship with Sutton United player Amber Taylor.

Hanson has a degree in sports coaching from Leeds Beckett University.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Sheffield F.C. 2016 WSL 2

2017

2017–18

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2018–19 Championship

2019–20

2020–21

2021–22

65!!14!!7!!2!!18!!0!!90!!16 Aston Villa (loan) 2022–23

2023–24

2024–25

2025–26

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International

International goals As of match played 2 December 2025. Scotland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Hanson goal.

Honours Doncaster Rovers Belles FA WSL 2: 2017–18

Manchester United FA Women's Championship: 2018–19 Individual FA Women's Super League Player of the Month: October 2019 Aston Villa Aston Villa Players Player of The Year: 2023–24

FA Women's Super League Goal of the Month: October 2025