England star Alessia Russo has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough in her hometown.

The professional footballer, who plays for Arsenal, was given the accolade by Maidstone council this evening.

Russo grew up and went to school in Maidstone, and says her first footballing memory was watching West Farleigh FC with her mum, dad and brothers, and kicking a ball around on the sidelines before she was old enough to join herself.

The council has been working with her family to celebrate her achievements and contribution to ladies' football in recent years.

Russo played a significant role in securing the Lionesses a victory at the European Championships in 2022 and a place in the Women’s World Cup Final in August last year.

The widely admired player described the accolade as a “huge honour”.

“Maidstone is my home and always will be so I’m delighted to have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough,” she said.

“I will continue to promote women’s football in the area and hopefully I can help and inspire the next generation of Lionesses.”

The honour was presented to her at an extraordinary council meeting, held at the Town Hall today.

Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Gordon Newton said: “Maidstone council is delighted to be able to officially recognise Alessia and award her with the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Maidstone today.

“We are very proud of Alessia’s achievements and continued contribution to the game of football and I sincerely hope that she will encourage more young people – both girls and boys to follow in her footsteps.

“Congratulations Alessia, everyone in Maidstone is very proud of you.”

However, when councillors were asked whether she should be granted Maidstone’s highest civic award in October, it was met with opposition.

Cllr Valerie Springett (Con) said at the time: “As a woman who has achieved in a man’s world, I’m certainly not against supporting women and women’s achievements.

“However, the wording of the Local Government Act is that freedom can be granted to someone who has rendered ‘eminent services to the borough’.

“My concern is that this is a knee-jerk reaction for some fabulous achievements within a very short period of time, achievements that have not particularly supported the residents of this borough, any more than the rest of the country.”

But, Russo received the honour after 31 councillors voted in favour and the motion was carried.

Russo grew up in Maidstone and was educated at East Farleigh Primary School and then at St Simon Stock Secondary.

She played football for Bearsted FC in the early stages of her career, before moving on to Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester United and finally to Arsenal.