Millie Bright is a renowned English professional footballer. She is famous for her position as a defender. She is best known for representing Chelsea and the England national team. Her journey includes past stints with Doncaster Belles and Leeds Ladies, along with appearances for England's under-19 and under-23 national teams. On 31 May 2023, Bright was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023. She earned the title of Vauxhall England Young Player of the Year in 2016. Millie's time with Chelsea has been marked by significant achievements, including three league titles in 2015, 2017–18, and 2019–20, as well as victories in the 2015 and 2017–18 FA Women's Cup. Her contributions also played a pivotal role in securing the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield for the club.
Family Details
Millie Bright was born on August 21, 1993, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. She holds British nationality and identifies with a British-White ethnic background. She marked her 30th birthday in 2023. About her family, she is the daughter of Steve Bright and Nicola Bright, with two siblings, a brother, and a sister. Her early life was immersed in equestrianism, although she faced health challenges, including pneumonia and asthma bouts during her infancy.
She attended Sheffield Road School, Killamarsh Junior School, and later Eckington School. Her football journey began at age nine when she joined the local team, Killamarsh Dynamos, after being inspired by a friend. Bright's talent led her to Sheffield United's academy team before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2009, where she continued to shine in her football career, eventually earning a plaque in her honor at Killamarsh Dynamos as part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign in 2022.
Millie Bright Football Career
Doncaster Rovers Belles
- Millie Bright, described by the club as a tall, powerful, and athletic striker with a keen eye for goal, made her Belles debut in August 2009, coming on as a substitute against Watford at the Keepmoat Stadium.
- She marked her first start with a goal the following month, contributing to a 5–0 FA Women's Premier League Cup victory against Leeds City Vixens.
- Bright secured a contract for the inaugural 2011 season of the FA WSL, making five substitute appearances.
- She then went on loan to Leeds United for the 2011–12 FA Women's Premier League season, celebrating her 18th birthday with a goal as a substitute.
- Upon her return to Doncaster, Bright became a regular first-team starter.
- She criticized The Football Association's decision to demote Doncaster Rovers Belles from the WSL in favor of Manchester City early in the 2013 season, expressing disappointment in the prioritization of money over the level of play and a sense of being unwanted in the league.
Chelsea
- In December 2014, Bright joined Chelsea for the 2015 season, with assistant manager Paul Green praising her hunger for development and experience in the FA WSL.
- Bright made 14 appearances, totaling 906 minutes, and was named Chelsea Players' Player of the Year in her 2015 season.
- In the 2016 season, she started in all 15 games and scored a goal in a 5–0 win over Sunderland, with Chelsea finishing second.
- During the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series, Bright anchored the defense, conceding only five goals, and contributed two goals from set-pieces as Chelsea won the Spring Series.
- In August 2018, she signed a three-year contract extension with Chelsea.
- In the 2019–20 FA WSL season, she was named Player of the Month for December and played a crucial role in Chelsea's league victory and League Cup win.
- In the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield, Bright scored the winning goal as Chelsea defeated Manchester City 2–0.
International Career
- Millie Bright has proudly represented England at various levels, from youth squads like the under-19s and under-23s to the senior national team.
- Her journey includes memorable moments, such as scoring a penalty kick against the United States during the Nordic Cup final in June 2016.
- She earned her first senior cap in September 2016 against Belgium, but an injury kept her from the SheBelieves Cup in February 2019.
- Millie shone on the world stage in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, playing crucial roles in several matches, although she received a red card in the semifinal against the United States.
- Notably, she captained the team for the first time in April 2021 and continued to lead during the 2022 UEFA Women's Euro victory.
- She was given the honor of legacy number 197, commemorating England's inaugural international.
- In May 2023, Bright was named in the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and assumed the role of interim captain due to an injury to Leah Williamson.
- On 16th August 2023, she played a key role in England's historic journey to their first World Cup final, assisting in one of the three crucial goals.
Millie Bright Awards, Honors, and Achievements
Chelsea
- FA WSL: 2015, Spring Series, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- FA Women's Cup: 2014–15, 2017–18 2020–21, 2021–22
- FA Women's League Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21
- FA Community Shield: 2020
- UEFA Women's Champion's League runner-up: 2020–21
England
- FIFA Women's World Cup runner-up: 2023
- UEFA Women's Championship: 2022
- Arnold Clark Cup: 2022, 2023
Individual
- Vauxhall England Young Player of the Year: 2016
- FA WSL PFA Team of the Year: 2017–18, 2019–20, 2021–22
- FA Women's Super League Player of the Month: December 2019
- FIFA FIFPro Women's World11: 2020, 2021
- Arnold Clark Cup Golden Boot: 2022
- Freedom of the City of London (announced 1 August 2022)
Millie Bright Boyfriend
Millie Bright is currently in a relationship with her boyfriend, Levi Crew, a performance coach, nutritionist, and personal trainer from America. They have been together since at least 2020, and Levi gifted her a dog for her 30th birthday. Initially, the pandemic kept them in a long-distance relationship, but Levi has since relocated to the UK, where they share a home in Surrey. Alongside their shared space, they also have two French Bulldogs named Zeus and Hera. Millie often shares sweet pictures of herself and Levi on her social media, affectionately referring to him as her "king." The duo are enjoying their present life a lot. Prior to Levi, Millie was in a relationship with Jordan Bird.
Millie Bright Salary
Millie Bright, the accomplished professional footballer, boasts a net worth estimated at $2 million as of 2023. Her primary source of wealth comes from her illustrious football career. Currently earning an annual salary exceeding $500,000, her market value stands at €50,000 according to transfermart.co.uk. In August 2022, she solidified her commitment to Chelsea by signing a new three-year contract extension. Her integral role in England's Euro 2022 success has cemented her status as Chelsea Women's longest-serving player. Millie's prosperous career has afforded her a taste of luxury and fancy car rides, reflecting her cool and comfortable lifestyle.
Millie Bright Tattoos meaning
Millie Bright stands at the height of 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) with a well-balanced weight of 76 kilograms. Her striking features include blonde hair that falls straight in a center-parted style, complemented by captivating blue eyes and a gleaming face that often lights up with her charming smile. Adding a touch of individuality, she adorns her left forearm with an array of tattoos, further enhancing her distinctive presence both on and off the field. She has a tattoo of Levi's eye on her left forearm. The design also features half a tiger. "It's my partner's eye and half a tiger, my core strength with me through thick and thin," she told SunSport of the inking. She has a healthy body with an athletic body type.
