Shannon O'Brien has been named Leicester City Women's Player of the Season at the club's end-of-season awards. The forward, a key figure in the Foxes' historic promotion and subsequent WSL survival, received the honour at a ceremony hosted at King Power Stadium on Monday night, as reported by the club's official website.
Who else was honoured at the Leicester City awards?
Goalkeeper Demi Lambourne was selected by her teammates to receive the Women's Players' Player of the Season award. O'Brien also added the Women's Goal of the Season prize to her collection, completing a memorable double for the 23-year-old. The event celebrated achievements across all levels of Leicester City, including the men's team's run to a European semi-final and the women's side's first year in the top flight.
O'Brien made 27 appearances in the Women's Super League last term, scoring three goals as Leicester secured their status in the division. Her performances also earned her a debut for the England Under-23s side. You can view the full squad and their stats on our dedicated squad page.
What did the award winners say about their achievements?
Speaking after receiving her award, Shannon O'Brien expressed her surprise and gratitude. "I didn't expect it, I'm a bit shocked to be fair, it's just incredible for me," she said. The forward highlighted the team's primary objective, adding, "We stayed up in the WSL, which is the most important thing."
James Maddison, who won the corresponding men's award, also shared his thoughts. "I'm very happy, very humbled," Maddison stated. "I want to say thank you to every fan who voted for me. It's very much appreciated." The awards night served as a culmination of a significant 12-month period for the entire football club.
How does the WSL landscape look for the new season?
A separate report from CBS Sports outlines the competitive environment Leicester City Women will face in the 2026-27 Women's Super League. The league has expanded from 12 to 14 teams, with Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, and Charlton Athletic earning promotion. This means there will be 183 matches broadcast each season on Paramount+.
The CBS Sports power rankings, published ahead of the new season, place Manchester City as the team to beat after they ended Chelsea's six-year title run. Chelsea, now under manager Sonia Bompastor, and Arsenal are seen as the closest challengers. The expanded format also introduces a new relegation play-off, with the 13th-placed WSL team facing the WSL 2 runner-up. Fans can track how the Foxes fare against this new-look league on our standings page.
What is next for Leicester City Women?
With the new, larger WSL season on the horizon, the focus for Willie Kirk's side will be on building from their hard-earned survival. The team's first season in the top flight provided vital experience, and the club will aim for greater consolidation. Key players like O'Brien and Lambourne, recognised by these awards, will be central to those plans.
The club's pre-season preparations are underway, with fixtures designed to test the squad before the league campaign begins. Supporters can follow all the team's upcoming matches, including friendly games and the WSL opener, via our comprehensive fixtures schedule. The Foxes begin their second WSL season on Sunday, September 13th, with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
