The 18-year-old US international marked her debut in France with a goal – continuing her fast start to life as a professional
L
ily Yohannes wastes no time. The 18-year-old scored on her international debut for the US at age 16 last year, having become a starter for Ajax before that. Now, with a move to European power OL Lyonnes over the summer, Yohannes scored a goal and was named player of the match in her debut for the club, a 3-1 win over Olympique Marseille.
Born in Springfield, Virginia, to Eritrean parents, Yohannes was 10 when she moved to Europe after her father accepted a job in Amsterdam. She played on an amateur boys’ team and quickly earned the attention of Ajax, who signed her to their youth academy at 13 years old.
“You have to make sacrifices to play at the highest level … I’ve had a different childhood than others, but I think I’ve found a good balance between having that dedication to my football, as well as enjoying my life outside of football,” Yohannes told the Guardian US in an exclusive interview before the season’s start. “From the moment I joined Ajax, I could feel the level of detail, how they try to implement the style of play of Ajax and the philosophy, and I think that’s something that’s pushed my game both tactically and technically. I’m just really grateful to Ajax for my development over the years.”
