Chloe Kelly: Manchester City signing says Champions League a 'massive part' of move

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Chloe Kelly with a Manchester City shirtImage source, Manchester City
Image caption,

Chloe Kelly spent four seasons with Everton and finished last season as their top scorer

England international Chloe Kelly says the prospect of playing Champions League football was a "massive part" of her decision to join Manchester City.

Kelly, 22, has signed a two-year contract after it was announced in June she had turned down a new deal with former club Everton.

The forward scored nine goals in the Women's Super League last season and was part of the England squad that competed in the SheBelieves Cup.

"The club is so ambitious," said Kelly.

"The chance to play Champions League football and just being at the club as a whole is massive," she told BBC Sport. "I want to be successful and win trophies in a blue shirt. I want to do well in the Champions League and hopefully win the Champions League."

City finished second in the WSL in 2019-20, losing out on the title to Chelsea on a points-per-game basis, but still secured their qualification for next season's Champions League.

Kelly, who spent four seasons with Everton after joining from Arsenal, made her international debut in November 2018 and has won four caps.

"The squad at City is great and for me, it is a case of going into it to try and break in and show what I have got. I'm not expecting to walk straight in and be a regular starter but I'm ready to work my socks off and do well for the club.

"As a young player, game time is important but I need to prove myself first. I told my team I was willing to work. I made the decision based on club success, international football and massively on Champions League football."

'The club's ambitions matched mine'

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Watch: Everton's Kelly scores two stunners in three minutes

Kelly also hopes the move to City will increase her chances of playing regular international football, especially with the European Championship being pushed back a year.

City boast a number of England internationals, including captain Steph Houghton, midfielder Jill Scott and youngsters Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp.

"That was massive for me. Seeing the youngsters that are there already and the opportunities they have had to showcase their talent... when the opportunity came for me, the staff let me know that I was going to be a part of something special and that sold it to me," added Kelly.

"It was a case of getting me into the England team full-time. I want to stamp my mark on the team and be a regular. The staff thought about that as much as I did which was really good.

"When you go away with the national team, it makes it a little bit easier because you are used to playing with the top players, like Steph Houghton and Jill Scott. It's a great environment to be around."

Kelly said she was "really excited" to work with Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor and that conversations with his staff showed "the club's ambition matched mine".

"I want to look back on my career when I'm older and have titles that I can look at. I want to score goals, assist goals and I want the club to do well first and foremost," she added.

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