Kaya Kando-Vogel in the ‘Game Changers’ exhibition

YOU might just recognise Kaya Kando-Vogel.

That’s because the talented young striker is currently part of a new exhibition in King’s Cross celebrating “the power of football, the community and of girls using the beautiful game to reach their full potential”.

Sixteen “Game Changers” from London-based grassroots football charity Bloomsbury Football are featured in the photo series, which can be seen in Battle Bridge Place, King’s Boulevard and Pancras Square until November.

Kaya said she was “proud” to be a part of the exhibition, adding: “I hope other girls playing football can be inspired by it. I am very grateful that Bloomsbury have given me and many other girls plenty of amazing opportunities like visiting St George’s Park, the home of England football, and, of course, being a part of this campaign.”

Offering words of encouragement for any young girls thinking about taking up football, the former West Hampstead Primary School pupil continued: “I would say just to keep going, even when it’s hard, because you can achieve anything if you really want it.”

Former West Hampstead Primary School pupil Kaya

A huge Arsenal fan, Kaya lists Gunners stars Bukayo Saka and Leah Williamson among the players who inspire her. And just like her idols the 11-year-old knows a thing or two about starring for an Islington-based club.

“My older brother has always loved football so he has been my main influence and he has been playing with me ever since I was able to kick a ball,” said Kaya. “My first club was Drayton FC, which my brother also played for. I won a player of the season award there mostly because of the ability I had to adapt to an all-boys team.”

From Market Road in Islington, to Castlehaven in Camden and Coram’s Fields in Bloomsbury, Kaya has displayed her goal-getting prowess on pitches across the capital. In the summer she brought a three-year stint at Bloomsbury Football to an end and she has now moved outside of London with her family.

But showing that true striker’s mentality, she couldn’t sign off without snapping up one more success – namely being voted Bloomsbury’s player of the season.

“I didn’t really expect it because I thought my coach would pick someone else because last year, even though I scored the most goals, I didn’t win the award and that has showed me that it doesn’t only matter about the goals you score but you also need to be an overall team player,” said Kaya.

“I was very happy when I won the award and I was proud of my determination to keep going and motivate myself to train hard.”