Why multilingual rising star Parkinson picked England

Erica Meg Parkinson’s international football career has potential in four different directions.

The 17-year-old is currently a member of Portuguese side Valadares Gaia and was born in Singapore to an English father and a Japanese mother.

Parkinson is eligible to play for Portugal, Singapore, and Japan, but she spent her youth in England.

Although she doesn’t intend to switch allegiances, Parkinson fully embraces her multicultural upbringing and is fluent in four languages.

As an international student in an international school, Parkinson said, “I grew up in Singapore, and that really helped me have a multicultural background.”

“I was present with a lot of people.” I appreciated that and understood how to handle it.

Everyone on camp only speaks English, despite the fact that many of the people I’m around can speak two or three languages!

“When we played Portugal in the summer, I was able to translate their set-piece routines, which was good,” said one coach.

The talented youngster, who previously played for the U16s, U17s, and U19s, won 44 youth team caps overall, was called up to England’s Under-23s for the first time this month.

England U23s take on Norway on Thursday at 2:00 GMT (kicking off), before hosting the USA at Accrington on Monday at 2:00 GMT.

When asked why England was the first nation to invite me into the national training center, she responded, “England were the first country that invited me.”

They sent a scout to Portugal to watch my games. At that time, I was having fun with boys. After watching some online video of me, they realized I was only half-English.

Parkinson has been playing professionally in Portugal since she was a young child and was recently scouted by England.

Before joining Valadares Gaia’s first team in the 2023-2019 season, she played for Leixoes and had some involvement with Benfica.

Parkinson must adapt since the different playing styles of football require her to travel to St. George’s Park to train with the England teams.

According to Parkinson, “Portugal’s style is more about passion and fluidity than the tactical side of things.”

It resembles football in its native Spanish form quite a lot. I have to concentrate on the tactical side of my brain when I arrive. I need to follow more strict rules.

Because of the football I play in Portugal and what I grew up with, I don’t want to change much.

I make an effort to change some things, but others are my strengths, so I don’t want to diminish them.

Parkinson, who was a member of the England Under-17s squad that lost to Spain in the World Cup semi-finals in October 2024, has had a busy schedule.

She also played for the under-19s team at the Euros in June, where they again lost to Spain in their final group match.

“It’s been a fantastic year,” he said. The Under-17s World Cup was a fantastic experience because it was the first time it felt truly professional, Parkinson said.