Liverpool Women have confirmed the signing of highly-rated defender Jenna Clark from Glasgow City.
The 21-year-old joins the Reds after five years at Petershill Park, where she won four league titles and a Scottish Cup. In total, the centre-back made 137 appearances for Glasgow, scoring 28 goals and winning international recognition with Scotland, for whom she already has six senior caps.
Clark was a standout performer last term as Glasgow pipped Celtic to the league title, and was named in the Scottish Women's Premier League [SWPL] Team of the Year. And the defender admits it is a dream come true to get the opportunity to make the switch to her childhood club.
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“It’s a bit surreal just now, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet but it feels amazing," Clark said. “My dad’s always been a Liverpool fan, as soon as Kenny Dalglish came here, so growing up there was only one team for me to support.
“I was here last year, my Christmas present from my girlfriend was an Anfield stadium tour, so to be here as a player and not just a fan is amazing.
“I wasn’t letting my hopes get too high but once it become more real, I was just buzzing. It’s something I’ll never take for granted, getting this opportunity.”
The player paid tribute to her former club for improving her game and is looking forward to continuing her development under Liverpool boss Matt Beard.
“I played at Glasgow City for five years and they helped develop me massively as a player and got me to where I am today, at this massive club," she said.
“For my first club outside Scotland to be the one I’ve supported my whole life just puts a big smile on my face as you can see. Matt has been very open about what he likes about me and where he sees me developing and where he sees me fitting into this team.
“Having conversations with him makes me excited about developing as a player and my future as a player here. I’m excited to get started and prove myself in this league and in this team.”
Reflecting on his new signing, Beard added: “We’ve been monitoring Jenna for probably two years now so we’ve had to be patient.
“But to watch her progress over the last year, with Champions League football and breaking into the Scottish national team as well; she’s still young, still got plenty of potential and plenty to learn, she’s an exciting signing for us, especially in both boxes, defensively and attacking.
“First and foremost she’s a great defender, comfortable playing off both feet, but she’s a threat in the box, 10 goals last year from centre-back is a great return.
“She’s got some really good players to look up to, compete with and learn from here and it’s a good headache for me selection-wise to have numerous players of that talent who can play.”
Clark is Liverpool's second signing of the summer following the addition of former Leicester City striker Natasha Flint.
