Purfield: It’s A Great Opportunity

- Jemma Purfield becomes LCFC Women’s latest signing of the summer
- The former Liverpool and Bristol City full-back has played in the WSL for the past two seasons
- Purfield says she is excited to be joining an ambitious club heading in the right direction
- Knowing some of the players already will help to settle into the squad quickly, she adds

Formerly of Doncaster Rovers Belles, Durham, Liverpool and Bristol City, the attacking left-back, whose arrival was announced on Monday, provides further experience and says enthusiasm is building as she looks forward to an exciting campaign with the newly promoted Foxes.

In her first interview since joining the Club, Purfield also spoke of her eagerness to get going and prepare for the season ahead at LCFC Women’s home of Belvoir Drive.

“It feels amazing,” the 24-year-old told LCFC TV outside City’s training ground. “I've been really excited about this; I think it's a great opportunity and I just can't wait to get started.

“I think the facilities they've got are second to none, there's not many better, I wouldn't say, in the women's game and I think that's a credit to the Club, and it shows the ambition and the backing that the Club are giving the women's team.

“I think it's fantastic, so I'm really excited about it. I think everything you need to get better and improve is all in this building and in this facility and I think that makes a massive difference. So we've got all the tools to get better and keep progressing.”

Watching on from afar, Purfield has been impressed with how the squad performed in 2020/21, winning the FA Women’s Championship title. She also came up against the Foxes last season, playing for Bristol City in the closely contested Continental Tyres League Cup Semi-Final.  

The attacking full-back highlighted the exciting progression made by the Club as it transitioned into a full-time, professional outfit last summer, gaining promotion at the first attempt.

“I think it's been brilliant,” she explained. “You know, Leicester's team last year was talented, and they've got some great players and so I'm looking forward to playing with them.

“And I just think that the vision of the Club and where they're pushing this team is in the right directions, so I'm excited to join that.

“I know a few of the girls, so there's some familiar faces about and some that I've not played with before. I'm excited to link up with those I know and also excited to get to know the new girls as well.”

A regular in the Robins’ starting XI during her one year with the club, making 27 appearances including 21 in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, the ex-England youth international brings further top-flight know-how to Leicester’s ranks.

Purfield added: “Hopefully I can add that and just add to the team on the pitch as well, a bit of attacking, going forward as a full-back and bring that to the team.

“I think that's the style of play that Jonathan [Morgan] likes to play, so I'm excited to be involved in that and add to that.”