New Lionesses teen icon Michelle Agyemang enjoys perfect homecoming after Euros heroics

England's teenage star Michelle Agyemang could be forgiven for singing “I’m coming home, I’m coming home” as she landed at Southend Airport this afternoon.

The brilliant 19-year-old striker went to a school just two and a half miles away from the airport. Not long ago she was scrambling to get a seat on the bus to Southend High School.

Now this afternoon she is climbing aboard getting a luxury bus with a police escort all the way to Downing St. It was a fairytale homecoming for Michelle, who lives in the nearby town of South Ockendon.

Jason Carey, headteacher at Southend High School for Girls, said: “We are incredibly proud of Michelle. To see a former Southend High School for Girls student reach the highest levels of international sport is something truly special.

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“Her dedication, resilience and pursuit of excellence were evident even during her time with us.

High School coach April Smith spotted her potential when she was one of about 30 players taking part in lunchtime kick about matches. She said: "There was just something really special about her, not just from a playing perspective, but a mentality perspective.

“She always wanted to do more, always worked really hard.

"You just want to nurture that talent and you want to make sure she goes and plays on the best stages and that's exactly what she's doing and she's taking everything in her stride.

"She's come from a little place in Essex, so it does make you really proud, just knowing that people will grow up one day... little girls saying they want to go and play like Michelle Agyemang.

"It's incredible, it's what every coach wants. She is a coach's dream."

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