Sophie Ingle was one of several current and former footballers invited to Windsor Castle among those named in the King’s New Years Honours for 2023.

The Chelsea Women midfielder was honoured by the King for services to football and presented with her medal by the Prince of Wales in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Upon learning she was to receive an OBE, Ingle said: ‘I am truly honoured to receive this. It is a huge honour for not only myself, but my family and all those involved with the Welsh women’s side who have worked tirelessly to help the platform be where it is today.’

Ingle, who signed a two-year extension to her Blues contract at the end of last year, is in her second spell with Chelsea. Having first joined the club in 2012, she returned in 2018 and has been a key part of the team’s tremendous success in recent years, winning three Women’s Super League titles in addition to two FA Cups and two League Cups.

She is also the current Wales captain at international level, having surpassed 100 caps for her country since making her debut as an 18-year-old in 2009, as well as representing Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Everyone at Chelsea would like to congratulate Sophie on receiving such a prestigious personal honour.