Grace Fisk cannot wait to begin her West Ham United career and help her new team continue to develop.
Fisk became the Hammers’ first signing of the winter transfer window on Monday, starting her professional career after graduating from the University of South Carolina, and the centre-back is excited to begin work with her new club.
The chance to play for the side that reached last season’s SSE Women’s FA Cup Final and work alongside some serial winners and established internationals could not been passed up, says the centre-back.
“Once I came and had a look at the set up here, I knew straight away that this was where I wanted to come and play,” the youngster, who turns 22 this coming weekend, told whufc.com. “I’m really excited. I’ve tried to follow the first half of the season and I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen. I can’t wait to get started now.
“I’ve been away for so long so, on a personal level, it’s nice to be in London and close to home. The team was really successful last year, with reaching the FA Cup Final, and I’m looking forward to being a part of this side. There’s some real quality in this team and some nice, friendly people as well.
“Of course. I watched some of the documentary last year and it was cool to see the insight of how things are progressing here. I want to help that continue to grow.”
Fisk has watched the Hammers closely while over in America. Just over 18 months ago, the Irons did not have a professional women’s team, but now Matt Beard’s side are an established Barclays FA Women’s Super League team.
The new No22 last played in England four years ago, when the female game was completely different, and Fisk is already excited for her chance to test herself in the developed women’s top flight.
She continued: “With the time difference, sometimes it’s been a bit difficult, but it’s been so good to watch this West Ham team. That Manchester United win was such a good game to watch.
“There are a load of talented players here and I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting into this team and helping in any way I can.
“Women’s football here has come on so far from when I left England three or four years ago. I was playing in WSL2 before and so much has changed in the short time I was away. I’m really excited to be back here and trying to help my new team do something special.”
Fisk’s first West Ham showing could come this Sunday at home to Everton, and the Bromley-born defender has already heard incredible things about the support at Rush Green Stadium.
With the first match of 2020 certain to attract a typically large and vocal crowd, Fisk is eager to experience the atmosphere for herself for the first time.
She added “Some people were telling me about how loud and passionate West Ham fans are, which definitely works to our advantage as the home team. I’ve heard so much about the big fan base here, how behind the women’s team they are, so I’m really excited to step out in front of them for the first time.”
