Arsenal opportunity to take Caitlin Foord to the summit of her sport
Caitlin Foord sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime to play for one of the world’s biggest clubs in Arsenal, but the real reward lies in her game getting back on an upward trajectory.
Women's sport
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Matildas star Caitlin Foord declared her move to English giants Arsenal “life-changing”, revealing it could help her fall back in love with the game.
The dashing attacker wants to take her game to the next level when she joins the Gunners after signing a 2½-year deal, and could make a dream debut away to Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Aussie boss Joe Montemurro labelled the signing a coup, as Foord prepares to lock horns with close friend Sam Kerr in the FA Women’s Super League.
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Foord, who is in camp with the Matildas, will join the Gunners mid-February after the Olympic qualifiers in China.
Baby-faced Foord, 25, has big ambitions.
“I’m hoping this move can help me take it to the next level and be in the place I’ve been before, where I can play at my best,” Foord said. “I think it will help me with that.
“Being part of such a big club and team, hopefully do some special things and lift some trophies.
“I feel like I’ve always been on a steady path. I’m hoping to grow as a player. I’m still learning, being in a different environment with different players. Really good players will help.
“Joe, I’ve only heard good things about.
“I’m excited to be coached by him and I want to be able to take my game to the next level and keep improving.”
Women’s football is mimicking the men’s game in Europe, which the Matildas saw first hand at the 2019 World Cup in France.
Matildas teammates will soon become opponents in arguably the No. 1 women’s league, with Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Everton) and Chloe Logarzo set to join Bristol City.
“Seeing that the level is almost next level — there’s some good play, build up and goals being scored,” Foord said.
“Seeing goals like that, you want to be involved in that.”
Wollongong-raised Foord paid tribute to mum Simone, a single mum who clocked up a ridiculous amount of kilometres in pursuit of her dream.
“It’s crazy when I think back at the journey. Mum having to drive me to training (in Sydney) every day,” she said. “I would never have thought back then that I was going to go to America and play, then Japan and now to England.”
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Ex-Melbourne City coach Montemurro was thrilled to sign Foord.
Foord will play anywhere between nine and 13 games in the final three months of the season — a combination of league, FA Cup and Champions League encounters, the latter a quarter-final clash with PSG starting on March 26.
“Caitlin is a great signing for us. She’s got that point of difference, technically very good, explosive, can play in all facets in the front third,” Montemurro said. “A player that suits our flexibility and fluidity, and a great character to boot.”
david.davutovic@news.com.au
CAITLIN FOORD FILE
Age: 25
Born: 11 November, 1994
CLUBS
Sydney FC, Perth Glory (Australia)
Sky Blue FC, Portland Thorns (USA), Vegalta Sendai (JAP)
MATILDAS
77 games, 17 goals
HONOURS
FIFA Women’s World Cup best young player 2011
Asian women’s young player of the year 2011
Asian women’s player of the year 2016