Kim Alison Little MBE (born 29 June 1990) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for and captains Arsenal of the English Women's Super League.
Born in Aberdeen, Scotland and raised in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, Little began playing football at a young age with her father and brother.
Hibs had signed Little and other players from their youth team to replace veterans Pauline Hamill, Nicky Grant and Debbie McWhinnie who all left the club that summer.
During the 2006–07 season, Hibs won every match to win the SWPL championship and also lifted the Scottish Women's Cup, with Little scoring 55 goals in her 30 appearances in all competitions.
[8] She later attended the 2008 Scottish cup final as a spectator, and was invited to collect a medal by her former teammates as she had played in an early round of the competition three months earlier.
Arsenal manager Vic Akers told reporters: "Make a note of this kid, she's going to be a big player.
[19] Little later described 2008–09 as her most memorable season, as Arsenal won a treble despite the departure of several leading players to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) in America.
[20] The following season Little's prolific goal scoring from the midfield helped Arsenal overcome the departure of Kelly Smith.
[23] Arsenal entered the 2010 FA Women's Cup Final hoping to lift the trophy for a fifth consecutive year.
[26] At the 2011 FA Women's Cup Final, Little was named Player of the Match and scored the opening goal in Arsenal's 2–0 win over Bristol Academy.
"[32] Prior to the 2013 season, Arsenal's head coach Laura Harvey left for Seattle Reign FC in the United States.
[34] In November 2013, Little left deposed champions Arsenal after six years for American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Seattle Reign FC.
Laura Harvey had departed Arsenal to coach Seattle Reign the previous year and had made Little her top transfer target.
[42] During the team's playoff semi-final match against Washington Spirit, Little scored one goal helping the Reign win 2–1 and advance to the championship final against FC Kansas City.
[51] Little, along with teammates Lauren Barnes, Beverly Yanez, and Jess Fishlock, were named to the NWSL Best XI team.
[52] During the first few months of the 2016 season, a number of offensive players became unavailable due to injury including Manon Melis,[53] Jess Fishlock[54] and Megan Rapinoe.
[55] During the team's second game of the season, Little served two assists and scored a goal in the 79th minute to secure a 3–0 win against the Boston Breakers.
[59] In October 2015, it was announced that Little had signed with Australian W-League team Melbourne City along with Seattle Reign FC teammate Jess Fishlock on loan for the 2015–16 season.
[62][63] Little ended the season having played 12 games for Melbourne City and scoring 9 goals, ranking only behind Larissa Crummer.
[67][68] On 14 March 2018, in the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup final, Arsenal defeated Manchester City 1–0 to claim their fifth title.
The match officials were criticised for failing to send off Chelsea's Drew Spence, whose "heavy tackle" had injured Little.
[73] Little converted a penalty in the 3–1 win over Manchester United in front of the first sold out Super League match at Emirates Stadium.
[74] At the start of the 2024/25 season, Little scored a penalty in Arsenal’s 6-0 win against Rangers W.F.C., in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
[78] Little made her debut for the Scotland national team in February 2007 at the age of 16 in a match against Japan, coming in as a second-half substitute for Megan Sneddon.
[7] During her 50th cap, Little scored the game-opening goal in Scotland's 2–0 victory against rival England at the Cyprus Cup in March 2011.
[82] During the 2013 Cyprus Cup, Little scored a goal and served an assist in Scotland's 4–4 draw against England during the group stage of the tournament.
[4] Despite opposition from Scottish Football Association with regard to Scottish players playing on a British team, Little was in favour of participating in the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Olympics: "I don't see why anyone would want to stop a player from playing at a massive tournament like the Olympics, it's the biggest sporting event ever.
"[90][91][92] Little was called up to the 18-player squad, one of only two non-English players chosen by team manager Hope Powell, the other being fellow Scot Ifeoma Dieke.
Little chose not to sing the national anthem of the United Kingdom before the team's first competitive game, a 1–0 win against New Zealand.
[102] Little was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to association football.