Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue no.20 2021-22

Norwegian starlet joins Manchester City

Manchester City Football Club is delighted to
announce the signing of Norwegian international
Julie Blakstad on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The 20-year-old, making her first foray into
the English game with her move to City, joins from
Toppserien outfit Rosenborg having scored 17
goals in 35 appearances for the club since joining
them in 2020.
Formerly of Ottestad’s youth set-up,
Blakstad turned professional with them in 2018
before moving to FL Fart later on that year.
Spending a season in Vang, her exploits caught the
eye of Rosenborg 18 months ago - a team who have
qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions
League for the past two seasons.
Also a full international with Norway and a versatile talent capable of playing in a
variety of positions, she represented her homeland at Under-15, U16, U17, U19 and U23
level before being handed her debut for the senior side against Wales in October 2020.
An exciting young player, Blakstad has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year
contract at the Academy Stadium and will wear the number 41 shirt.
Speaking about her move, she said: “It’s amazing to be a Manchester City player and
I can’t wait to get started.
“Everybody has been amazing so far, and I’m so excited to meet my team mates. At this
point in my career, it’s important to take a new step to develop myself further and I believe
this is the best place for me to do that.
“You only have to look at the club – the facilities, the staff and the players all have
incredible dedication to achieve something big and I really want to be a part of that.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We’re delighted to welcome Julie to Manchester
City.
“At just 20 years old, she’s already proven what a talent she is for both club and
country and she’s a player who will fit perfectly into our squad and ethos here at City.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with her over the coming years – she
is an incredibly ambitious young player and we’re excited to help her develop and grow here
in England.”
Julie made her Manchester City debut as a second half substitute in their 3-0 victory
over Tottenham Hotspur in the semi finals of the FA Women’s Continental Cup on
Thursday night.
Chelsea and Manchester City reach Final
Chelsea will play Manchester City in this season’s FA Women’s Continental League Cup
Final after the two sides won their respective semi finals in midweek.
Remarkably, it will be the first time that Chelsea and Manchester City will play each
other in a major Final, having met at the semi final stage on a number of occasions.
First up on Wednesday night, Chelsea played host to Manchester Utd and moved
themselves to within one match of retaining the trophy.
Marc Skinner’s side went into the match on the back of a rich vein of form in the league
but it was Chelsea who were to open the scoring midway through the first half when Pernille
Issue no. 20 - 3 February 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk