Satara Melonie Murray (born 1 July 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Championship club Sheffield United and the Jamaica women's national football team.

Satara Murray
Murray in 2013
Personal information
Full name Satara Melonie Murray[1]
Date of birth (1993-07-01) 1 July 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Brooklyn, United States
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Sheffield United
Number 44
Youth career
Lonestar '93
2013 Pali Blues
2014 Washington Spirit Reserves
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 North Carolina Tar Heels 85 (1)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 Liverpool 66 (2)
2019 Houston Dash 9 (0)
2020 Kolbotn 5 (0)
2021 FC Austin Elite
2021–2022 Bristol City 22 (0)
2022–2023 Racing Louisville 9 (0)
2023–2024 Bristol City 4 (0)
2024– Sheffield United 1 (0)
International career
2021– Jamaica 1 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Jamaica
CONCACAF W Championship
Third place 2022 Mexico
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:58, 23 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 October 2021

She has previously played for English clubs Liverpool and Bristol City, Racing Louisville and Houston Dash of the NWSL, and Kolbotn Fotball of the Norwegian Toppserien. Born in the United States, she represents Jamaica internationally.

Born in New York and raised in Texas, Murray won a collegiate national championship with North Carolina Tar Heels before starting her professional career in 2015 with Liverpool of the FA Women's Super League. She spent four years with Liverpool before joining Houston Dash on a free transfer.

Collegiate career

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Murray had a stellar collegiate career, appearing 85 times for the North Carolina Tar Heels. She was instrumental in helping UNC win its 21st national championship in 2012.[2] For her effort, she was twice named an All-American as well as the most outstanding defensive player at the 2012 NCAA College Cup.[3]

Professional career

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Liverpool

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Murray signed with two-time defending FA WSL champion Liverpool in 2015.[4] While at the club she made 68 appearances at centre-back and right-back, scoring two goals.[5]

Houston Dash

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Murray was recruited through the NWSL Discovery Process by the Houston Dash ahead of their 2019 season. A native from Austin she expressed excitement at playing in her home state.[6][7]

Kolbotn

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On 29 July 2020, Murray was announced at Kolbotn on a contract that lasts until the end of the season, with the option of an extension until 2021.[8]

First spell at Bristol City

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On 28 July 2021, Murray was announced at Bristol City.[9]

Racing Louisville

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On 16 May 2022, Murray was announced at Racing Louisville.[10]

Second spell at Bristol City

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On 26 July 2023, Murray rejoined Bristol City on a two year contract.[11] On 5 August 2024, Murray left Bristol City.[12]

Sheffield United

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On 21 August 2024, Murray was announced at Sheffield United.[13] On 7 September 2024, she was announced as the new club captain of the club.[14]

International career

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Born in the United States, Murray was also eligible to represent England through her mother (who was born in London), Jamaica through her paternal family, Antigua and Barbuda through her maternal grandfather or Guyana through her maternal grandmother.[15]

In 2010, Guyana named Murray to its provisional squad for the Gold Cup.[16] Despite Guyana head coach Mark Rodrigues' excitement over her inclusion at the time,[17] Murray ultimately did not play for Guyana.

Following her move to Liverpool and after not receiving international call-ups by the United States,[3] Murray was called up to the England U23 team for two training camps in 2016.[18][19]

On 24 October 2021, Murray made her senior international debut for Jamaica.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Satara Murray at the Norwegian Football Federation (in Norwegian)  
  2. ^ "North Carolina wins 21st NCAA women's soccer crown". USA Today. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  3. ^ a b Kelly, Andy (7 January 2015). "Liverpool FC Ladies unveil three new signings in bid for title hat-trick – watch our video interview". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  4. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (8 January 2015). "American defender Murray signs with Liverpool". The Equalizer. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Satara Murray to leave LFC Women this weekend". Liverpool FC. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Satara Murray to leave LFC Women this weekend". Liverpool FC. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Houston Dash sign defenders Satara Murray and Ari Romero through Discovery Process". Houston Dynamo. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Kolbotn har signert den tidligere Liverpool- og Houston Dash-spilleren Satara Murray". www.facebook.com (in Norwegian).
  9. ^ "Murray is a Robin". www.bcfc.com.
  10. ^ "Racing signs Jamaican international defender Murray". www.racingloufc.com.
  11. ^ "Murray returns to City". www.bcfc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Murray leaves City". www.bcfc.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Satara Murray signs". www.sufc.co.uk.
  14. ^ "Women's captaincy group named". www.sufc.co.uk.
  15. ^ "Satara Murray – Women's Soccer – University of North Carolina Athletics". GoHeels.com.
  16. ^ "GFF announces squad of 27 in preparation for Gold Cup Finals". Kaieteur News. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  17. ^ Wilson, Franklin (4 November 2010). "TD Mark Rodrigues satisfied with performance of 'Lady Jags'". Kaieteur News. Retrieved 4 April 2020. We are very excited about Satara Murray from Texas who will be attending the top Women's Soccer University in America (North Carolina) next year on a scholarship.
  18. ^ "SPACEY NAMES HER LATEST ENGLAND NEXT GEN SQUAD". The FA. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  19. ^ "MARIEANNE SPACEY HAS PICKED 16 PLAYERS TO COMPLETE A SIX-DAY TRAINING CAMP". The FA. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  20. ^ @jff_football (24 October 2021). "Four International debuts for the #ReggaeGirlz! Murray, Bailey, Spence and Gayle all start ✊🏿.#ReggaeGirlz…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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