‘A Natural Move For Me’ – CJ Bott On Signing For The Foxes
The New Zealand international, who signed this week on a permanent deal following time at Vålerenga, enters her debut week at Belvoir Drive ahead of the weekend’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League trip to Manchester United.
Sitting down with LCFC TV for the first time as a Leicester City player, Bott outlined her eagerness to get acclimatised in new surroundings after arriving as the newest member of the Foxes’ squad.
“It feels amazing,” she revealed to the Club’s in-house TV channel. “It’s been a long road to get here with visas and things like that, but it’s so great to finally be here and get among things and meet everyone. It’s awesome, so I’m happy now.
“I’ve definitely wanted to play in England for a long time, so this seemed like a natural move for both me and the Club and a good fit and I felt like I was good fit for the Club too.”
Previously playing senior football in Germany, Norway and Sweden after a youth career in her homeland, it’s the first time the 26-year-old has ventured into England’s top-flight. Bott is excited by the opportunity to test herself in the division.
“It’s a great league,” the full-back enthused. “It’s got more and more professional, which is awesome for women’s football and women’s sport. It’s also an incredibly technical league and very tactical as well, it’s great to watch. I’m definitely excited to be a part of it.
“I feel like it’s definitely going to be a good fit. It’s an aggressive league, which suits my playing style really well. It’s attack-minded, which I really love, and it’s going to challenge me a lot but I think I have a lot to offer as well.
“I’ve played in a lot of high-level games and a lot of high-level competitions and I think that experience is going to be really important. I’m really grateful to have that under my belt.”
Leaving Norway at the back end of 2021, the defender’s only competitive football this calendar year has been playing internationally for the Football Ferns, starting all three of their She Believes Cup group stage fixtures against Iceland, USA and Czech Republic in February.
Once fully equipped to be included, Bott will provide a boost to strengthen Lydia Bedford’s squad for the season run-in, which includes seven important WSL games between now and the end of the current campaign.
“It’s tough having any time off,” she admitted. “I needed it but it was a good amount of time and now I’m definitely raring to get going. I’ve played a few internationals now in the last FIFA window, so I’m feeling ready to go.
LCFC Women A Good Fit, Says New Recruit Bott
New Zealand international CJ Bott sits down with LCFC TV after officially signing for LCFC Women.
“There’s definitely a bit to learn I’m sure and getting to know the girls more and that kind of thing. The girls are amazing, the quality seems really high and it’s really professional so I think it will be great. It’s incredible, there are great facilities, you can’t complain about this place.
“Lydia [Bedford] is awesome too. She has a wealth of knowledge so I’m really keen to learn from her. I think I just need to get among things as quickly as possible.
“Obviously, there’s not that many games to go but I know I can definitely help us solidify the team in the league and looking forward to next season, I think that’s just another opportunity to prove myself and for the team to keep going.”