Gregory: I’ve Come Here To Develop

- Freya Gregory has become LCFC Women’s newest recruit
- The midfielder joined on loan from Aston Villa on Friday
- Gregory, 19, sat down with LCFC TV to discuss her move
- The England youth international says she is excited to get going

The midfielder, who primarily operates from a left-sided position, has signed from Aston Villa, joining fellow youngster Missy Goodwin in swapping the Villans for the Foxes.

Speaking earlier this week, the 19-year-old is raring to get going in a Leicester City shirt and continue her fledging career, which has included spells with two Midlands teams. 

“I’m buzzing to be honest, just to get playing football, doing what I know I can do and prove myself in the league,” the 18-year-old commented to LCFC TV. “I’m really excited. It’s been a good few days trying to get involved and get started but I’m really excited to be here.

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Thumbs up from the newest member of LCFC Women’s squad.

“It was a few weeks ago, towards the back end of the Christmas break when I heard [about the interest], but as soon as I did, it’s an ambitious club and I’m excited to join it.

“I think what the Club wants to do in the near future and in the next few seasons is really ambitious and I can see the standards they have at the Club, the facilities, there’s everything it needs to become an established top-flight WSL team.”

Gregory, who has six appearances to her name so far in 2021/22, including three in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, scored a first senior goal in the second city derby last season, against her former side.

Starting three of those six games in 2021/22, she has developed experience at a young age, having joined the Villans from Blues in the summer of 2020, assisting the retaining of their WSL status.

And while her loyalties now lie away from both clubs, she has been greeted by some familiar faces within the Foxes’ ranks, who have helped to settle her into the group quickly. 

“Obviously I know Missy [Goodwin], I was at Villa with her and Blues before that for quite a long time, so I’ve known her for a few years and Connie [Scofield], I’ve played for Blues with her previously, and Abbi Grant, so I know a few of the girls. But I’ve got to know all of them and they’re all lovely.

“It was a tough season last season; it was quite evident that we really had to push for results, but I think off the back of that, and the positives I took from it, is that I’ve learnt to compete up against the top teams in the league and I think I can take this experience into the next three months.”

Discussing her aims for the rest of the campaign, the England youth international, who featured for the Young Lionesses in the Under-17s Women’s European Championships, is targeting a successful spell with the Foxes to aid moving up the WSL standings.

She added: “I think I’ll hopefully bring goals, bring assists and exciting play one vs. one. I just like to get at players, go forward, but also recover well and work hard off the ball.

“I think most importantly it’s about developing as a team and individually, and just doing what I can to assist and help the team in gaining points and finishing as high as we can in the league.

“Individually, it’s just getting my confidence back, playing with the excitement and the drive that I know I’ve got, so I’m just really excited.”