An England youth international has swapped the Three Lions for the three seaxes after becoming a police officer with Essex Police.

Olivia Smith won 16 England caps at Under-16 to Under-19 levels and has played for Chelsea and West Ham.

The cultured 21-year-old defender spent last season at Charlton Athletic in the Women’s Championship and is now looking for another club at that level so she can combine her football and police careers.

Olivia completed her 18-week initial training course at Essex Police College after deciding on a change of direction away from the professional game.

She said: “I went down a path where I wanted to give up football and thought, what can I do now? I always had a passion for forensics and wanted to become a detective, so I applied to Essex Police. I’m really happy I did apply because I love it.”

Sincee January, she’s managed a challenging schedule of full-time police training alongside football training three nights a week, with games at the weekend"

I feel with the police you can always progress and, for me, it’ll be good to always have something to aim high for," she added.