Meet Alex Morgan – Tottenham’s new USA striker who ‘transcends her sport’

United States striker Alex Morgan – an iconic figure in women’s football – has joined Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur on a deal for the 2020-21 season.

During a glittering career, the 31-year-old has scored more than 100 goals for her country and has three times been named in the FIFPro World XI.

She was also one of the stars of last summer’s World Cup, scoring against England in the semi-finals as the USA went on to lift the trophy for a second successive time.

In this article, originally published before the quarter-final stage in France, on 22 June 2019, BBC Sport assesses her status as one of the game’s leading players and a true global superstar.

As a world and Olympic champion, children’s book author and three-time cover star of Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit magazine, United States forward Alex Morgan possesses a unique combination of talents and experience.

Morgan has more followers on Instagram than Tottenham or Pele – and even the Royal Family’s official account.

But who is the woman behind the superstar billing? And how influential can she be on the continued growth of her sport?

“She’s the face of the team and of the sport in the United States,” Caitlin Murray, journalist and author of a book about the US women’s national team, told BBC Sport.

“She is the rare example of a soccer player who has transcended her own sport to hold a place in mainstream culture.

“Women’s soccer fans are an especially passionate group and Alex Morgan is easily the most beloved player of all. When she walks by fans, the shrieking you hear is at a volume several decibels higher than for anyone else.”