Hampton was born in Birmingham, England and grew up in Studley, Warwickshire before emigrating to Spain with her family at the age of five. While in Spain, Hampton was scouted for the Villarreal CF academy where she played as a striker. She studied at the British School of Vila-real where her parents, Chris and Laura, worked as teachers.[4] She moved back to England in 2010 and joined the Stoke City Centre of Excellence. During her time at Stoke, Hampton made the transition from forward to goalkeeper.[5][6] As part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, a plaque honouring Hampton was installed at Stoke City.[7] She was previously a student of Erasmus Darwin Academy.
Club career
Birmingham City
In 2016, Hampton was recruited for the Birmingham City Centre of Excellence by then-Academy Director Marc Skinner who would later be appointed first-team manager. On 5 November 2017, Skinner called Hampton up for her senior debut in a League Cup group game against Doncaster Belles. After making a string of first team appearances, Hampton signed her first professional contract with the club on 5 December 2018.[8][9]
In 2018, after the departure of veteran first-choice keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, Hampton saw an increase in playing opportunities, starting 12 of the 20 WSL matches during the 2018–19 season as the Blues conceded a joint-third low 17 league goals. She was subsequently named the club's Young Player of the Season at Birmingham's end of season awards in May 2019.[10]
Hampton signed a new contract for Birmingham City on 5 September 2019, extending her deal until June 2021.[11] She played 34 of the 35 WSL games in the next two seasons, keeping 6 clean sheets with a 66.5% save percentage.[12] Hampton left Birmingham upon the expiry of her contract at the end of the month.[13]
On 4 July 2023, Chelsea announced the signing of Hampton on a three-year contract following the end of her contract with Aston Villa.[15] She made her Chelsea debut on 17 December 2023 against Bristol City, where she was praised for her saves in the 3–0 away victory for Chelsea,[16][17] and became the first choice goalkeeper ahead of Zecira Musovic in the 2023–24 season.[18]
International career
Youth
In February 2013, Hampton received her first call-up to the under-15 squad at the age of 12. She was included in the under-17 squad for the 2017 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualification playing host to Lithuania, Slovenia and Russia. The side progressed to the Elite Round, beating Germany and Poland, and drawing to Italy to top the group to qualify for Euro Finals in Czech Republic. England were drawn against Republic Of Ireland, Netherlands and Norway but only won one of their three ties, finishing third and failing, progress beyond the group stage.[19][6]
Hampton continued to progress through the under-18 and under-19 age groups. In 2018 she was included in the under-19 squad that contested both the qualifying and elite qualifying rounds, booking their place at 2019 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. Hampton recorded two clean sheets in two appearances against Sweden and Italy in the Elite Round at St George's Park National Football Centre and was named Player of the Match against Italy.[20] During the tournament, Hampton played in all three of England's group games as they failed to progress.
In August 2019, Hampton received her first call-up to the under-21 team by Rehanne Skinner to compete in the friendly invitational U23 Nordic Tournament which was hosted at Loughborough University.[21]
Senior
In February 2020, Hampton was called-up to the England senior team for the first time, as a training player in the traveling party for the 2020 SheBelieves Cup.[22][23] In September that year she received her first full call-up to a training squad.[6] On 12 October 2021, Hampton received her first competitive call-up for England's 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Northern Ireland and Latvia.[24] On 20 February 2022, Hampton made her senior England debut starting England's 0–0 draw with Spain in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup.[25] Hampton was included in the England squad which won the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 in July 2022.[26][27] In November 2022, her England legacy number was announced as number 222.[28] On 31 May 2023, Hampton was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023,[29] becoming a runner-up in the tournament.[30]
On 9 April 2024, Hampton began featuring in the starting lineup for Euro 2025 qualifying matches, initially against the Republic of Ireland, keeping a clean sheet in the 2–0 victory;[31] her first start competitive start for over two years.[32] After an injury to Mary Earps, she came on as a substitute in the 2–1 defeat to France on 31 May.[33] Hampton again started as the no.1 for the return fixture against France on 4 June, making a "stunning" finger tip save in the 89th minute to help England secure 3 points,[34][35] followed by the 2–1 win over the Republic of Ireland on 12 July.[36] After being included in the starting eleven for the final qualifying match against Sweden, sports writer Suzanne Wrack opined that Hampton's selection "perhaps marks a changing of the guard", in reference to England's first choice goalkeeper, describing the decision as a "a bold move and a huge vote of confidence" to be selected ahead of Earps.[37] England manager Sarina Wiegman commented it was "little bit too early" if the change would be decisive, while The Guardian described the choice as "the strongest signal yet" that Hampton is "leading the race to be England’s No 1 goalkeeper for Euro 2025".[38]
Personal life
Hampton was born with strabismus, an eye condition that affects depth perception. By the age of three she had undergone three operations at Birmingham Children's Hospital to try and correct it and is now an ambassador for the hospital. As well as English, she speaks fluent Spanish and also learnt sign language online to be able to communicate with her cousin, Ethan, who is deaf.[4]
