“I Know the Levels I Can Reach - And I’m Not There Yet”: The Story of West Brom’s Mia Sorrentino

Before the academies, England camps and FA Women's National League matchdays, Mia Sorrentino’s football story began in the most familiar way possible.

On the sidelines.

As a child, she spent weekends watching her older brother play, standing pitchside and absorbing everything. It didn’t take long before simply watching wasn’t enough.

She wanted to be on the pitch herself.

That instinct, the need to play, to compete, to improve, has stayed with her ever since.

From Local Pitches to Academy Football

Sorrentino began her journey with a local boys’ team, playing there until the age of 12. The next step came with a move to the Regional Talent Centre at Stoke City, where she spent three years developing in a structured academy environment.

Her early role might surprise people now. “I actually started as a goalkeeper,” she says. It didn’t last long. Soon she was pushed up the pitch, finding her feet as an attacking player. Whether it was on the wing or through the middle as a striker, she quickly became comfortable operating in the final third.

This season, however, she’s taken on another tactical shift, adapting to life as a left wing-back. Another challenge. Another position to master.

Playing Up at Villa

After Stoke came a significant step forward.

Sorrentino joined Aston Villa Women at Under-16 level but quickly found herself playing above her age group with the Under-21s. She spent three seasons at the club, regularly training with the first team and featuring in matchday squads. For a young player, it was an invaluable experience.

“The facilities were brilliant,” she says. “You’ve got everything you need to improve.”

It was the type of professional environment many young players dream about, and one that gave her a glimpse of what football at the highest level looks like. Then everything changed.

The Week Everything Changed

In her first season at Villa however, Mia suffered an ACL injury.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. Just one week later, she was supposed to fly out to Croatia for England’s Under-17 European Championship qualifiers. Instead of preparing for international football, she faced months on the sidelines.

For academy players, recovery can feel isolating. Support was there, but the reality is that first-team injuries inevitably take priority. It meant patience and a lot of quiet work behind the scenes. Sorrentino stuck with it. When she finally returned to full fitness, the reward came in the form of an England Under-19 call-up.

It was proof of something she still believes strongly: Work hard, stay patient, and the opportunity will come again.

Goosebumps at St George's Park

Her England debut remains the standout moment of her career so far.

Walking into St George’s Park for the first time, the nerves were obvious but so was the excitement. Training alongside some of the country’s best young players and preparing to face the USA made the whole experience feel surreal.

Then came the moment she’ll never forget. She scored. Twice. “To score in both games at that camp… I couldn’t have had a better first camp really.” Even now, she still watches the clips back, the goals, the celebrations and her family cheering from the stands.

For a player returning from a serious injury, it meant everything.

A Fresh Start at West Brom

At just 19 years old, Sorrentino made the move to West Bromwich Albion Women this season, joining the club in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. While some might assume the gap between a Women’s Super League setup and Tier 3 football is huge, she’s quick to challenge that perception.

“The facilities have been really impressive,” she explains, referencing the club’s access to venues such as the Alexander Stadium alongside both academy and men’s training grounds.

It felt like the right environment to take the next step, yet football had another test waiting.

Following an Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie against Everton, Sorrentino suffered a second ACL injury. It was another brutal setback.

Yet once again, the support around her made a difference. “The staff and players have all been amazing. I can’t fault them at all.”

The Biggest Lesson: Patience

If you ask Mia what she’s learned most in her career so far, the answer comes quickly.

“Patience.”

Two ACL injuries have a way of teaching you that nothing is guaranteed. Nothing is gifted. Nothing is guaranteed in football.

“You have to work for everything if you want to go far.”

Keeping Balance

Despite the demands of elite football, Sorrentino is careful to keep her worlds separate. “I like to keep my life outside of football separate from football", she says.

Her weekly routine reflects that balance following a steady rhythm: Monday off, training Tuesday through Thursday, an optional Friday session, Saturday rest, Sunday game day.

Structure, discipline and routine are the quiet foundations behind every player’s development.

“I Haven’t Hit My Level Yet”

Right now, her focus is simple: returning to full fitness and reaching the level she believes she’s capable of.

“I just want to get back to my best and prove what I can do,” she says. “I know my levels and they haven’t been reached yet.”

Looking further ahead, the ambitions are clear. The Women’s Super League. Another England shirt.

With her talent, determination and resilience already tested early in her career, Mia Sorrentino’s story is far from finished. If anything, it’s only just getting started.