Kirstie Levell - Everton Ladies Professional

Kirstie Levell is ready to do whatever it takes to succeed now she has turned full-time with Everton Ladies.

The Toffees keeper has joined a host of her teammates in turning professional and knows the hard work has only just begun, especially with the Club back in WSL 1.

But the 20-year-old has highlighted what is needed to be successful and says she will give her all to ensure both she and Everton enjoy the new season.

“Moving up to WSL 1, you know the forwards you will face will be a lot more clinical in and around the box,” she told evertontv. “I know I will need to be a lot more dominant, especially on set pieces. Then I will need to keep improving on my shot-stopping, my agility and my power off the floor. I have a lot of personal things I want to improve on.

“I am really excited to be back in the top division, getting tested by different styles of play. We will be facing some of the biggest names in women’s football so I’m really looking forward to it.

“When I was a kid, kicking a ball about in the street, I never thought for a moment that I would be here signing my first professional contract. But the hard work starts now. There are two words that I have thought about a lot since we heard we were going full-time – commitment and sacrifice. I have to make those right choices.”

Levell has been at the Club for five years alongside a number of her fellow youngsters. As such, she is delighted to be turning professional alongside them.

“I am extremely excited to go full-time,” she added. “What better way to devote my time than to this job – and it's not even a job when you love it so much!

“I am so excited to be on this journey together with my teammates. A lot of us grew up together and all had the same ambition and dreams. Now we are getting the chance to do the job we love.”