Bott: An Exciting Time At Leicester
This week, the Foxes announced that Bott has signed a new contract, keeping the right-back at the Club until the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as they prepare for their third consecutive season in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Upon signing, the defender was delighted to wrap up a new deal with a side who she signed with in March of 2022, after completing her first full season with City. The Foxes achieved league safety on the final day of the season last term, following a 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
“It feels great to sign with the Club,” Bott told LCFC.com. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and it’s exciting to see how the team has developed. It’s an exciting time to be at Leicester and I’m looking forward to next season. I feel like I’ve developed a lot since joining in March of last year, and I really stand by the morals and values of the Club, and it’s where I want to be.”
Talking about last season, which ended with the Foxes overturning a seven-point deficit to retain their WSL status, the New Zealander admits it was a learning curve for the team but believes City will be in a better position for the upcoming campaign.
“It was a tough start to last season,” the 28-year-old continued. “But with Willie [Kirk] and the new signings that came in, we had a bit of a turnaround, which we all wanted. That’s set the standard now and we plan to build upwards from there.
“He [Kirk] has been great, From the get-go, he set a new standard and the bar was put in place, in terms of what was expected from us, and that certainly helped us in terms of gaining league safety. As a player, I align with his morals and values, and I’ve enjoyed my time with him. He’s challenged me, pushed me, but also has supported me to achieve new heights, so I’m looking forward to working with him again next season.”
Having the use of Belvoir Drive training centre on a daily basis and playing all home WSL games on Filbert Way has a massive boost on the confidence and performance of the team, says Bott.
Looking to push on from Leicester’s highest points tally in the WSL, the defender is itching to get going next season, but confirms that her focus, having signed a new deal, turns to international duty as she is set to represent her country at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She added: “The backing of the Club has been amazing. It’s brilliant that we have all these fantastic facilities at our disposal and, it’s amazing to play our home games at King Power Stadium. It helps aid our development and performance really.
“It’s amazing to have things signed, sealed, and delivered before jetting off for the World Cup, and it’s nice to have some stability for the next two years, so now I can focus on the summer and performing with New Zealand. I’m so excited for the next season and beyond. The Club is going in the right direction and I’m ready to get started and help the team achieve great things.”