Olivia Chance signs full time contract with Everton

Olivia Chance signs full time contract with Everton

Midfielder says family have taken to Everton following February arrival.

Olivia Chance is delighted to have signed a full-time contract with Everton Ladies – so she can continue inspiring her nieces.

The New Zealander linked up with the Blue Girls ahead of the 2017 Spring Series, scoring three goals as the Toffees lifted the trophy and also reached the fifth round of the FA Women’s Cup.

Chance is no stranger to the professional ranks having spent time in Iceland at Úrvalsdeild side Breiðablik UBK, but it is with Everton that she has made a mark with her family.

“That has been the best thing – seeing my sister’s two little girls wearing my shirt out in New Zealand,” she told evertonfc.com. “It is something that I had never dreamed of. I’m really happy and proud of my family. They have been amazing so I’m really pleased my nieces love wearing their shirts at day care!

“They always know where their shirts are and if I ask them when I speak to them they will always run off and grab them. They are big fans.

“I’m really happy to go back to being a professional. The Spring Series was nice to allow me to get used to England and the game here.

“It was good to come in and train a few times a week but to go full time and be able to be at USM Finch Farm more regularly is great. We’ll be training more so we’ll be fitter and we’ll get more touches of the ball so it will have a huge benefit on the team.”

Everton are back in WSL 1 for the 2017/18 campaign, giving Chance the opportunity to test herself amongst the best in England.

Having used the Spring Series to adapt to her new surroundings after her arrival in February, the midfielder is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I am feeling a lot more like an Everton player,” she added. “The girls have been getting used to me and I have been getting used to them. That definitely helps, but I am also learning the style of play here in England.

“It’s great that we are back in WSL 1. Everyone always wants to play in the best leagues so being back in the top division is going to be a really good challenge. I’m excited to see how we get on.”