Raso: ‘Moving to Man City was an easy decision for me’

Manchester City Women’s latest signing Hayley Raso has revealed she found it an “easy decision” to move to the club from Everton.

Raso’s signing was announced on Wednesday and the Australian, who spent 18 months playing on Merseyside, explained the lure of playing in the Champions League was too good to turn down.

“I had a few conversations, but I’ve always said it was a pretty easy decision for me to choose Manchester City,” Ruso said during Thursday’s press conference. “I spoke to Gareth [Taylor] and he told me about the club and facilities, and the staff and the team. I really enjoyed my time in England last season, so I wanted to stay and wanted to come to a club like this.”

“I spoke to a bunch of  my national team team-mates because we were together for a long time [during the Olympics] and they said they thought it would be a good move for me too. Obviously with playing Champions League football and competing for trophies it’s a real drawcard to come here.”

Raso has signed a two-year contract with City and admitted she cannot wait to play alongside her new team-mates.

“I think playing with quality players like the ones at Manchester City will only help me,” she said. “Like I said, I can’t wait to combine with the players that are here and as a forward and an attacking player I want to score goals and I like scoring goals. It’s definitely part of my game and hopefully I can continue to do so here.”

“The signings [this summer] have been great,” she continued. “I have been into the facilities twice now so I have met some of the girls who are in and there are a few more to come in. It’ll be good when everyone is back together and I think the new signings will bring a lot to the team.”

The 26-year-old failed to win any silverware with Everton, but she’s hoping to put that right at City.

“I just want to play and perform well but I’ve said a few times that the reason I’ve come over here is because they are such a quality club,” she explained. “[The club have] amazing players and they compete for trophies and play in the Champions League. I just want to be at that point and I feel that I’m at that point in my career. My ambitions are to compete in those big games.

“City always go so close and you saw that last season. I hope that coming to this team, that I can give my all and my best and hopefully give them a boost and we can go one better [than second place].”

This is set to be a landmark year for the WSL with a new television deal with Sky Sports and BBC meaning more live games will be shown from the league than ever before.

“I think it’s amazing - so much exposure for the women’s game,” said Raso, when questioned about the upcoming campaign. “I think it’s come on leaps and bounds and that’s where it should be at the moment.

“It’s exciting to know so many games will be broadcast this season and hopefully all our fans will come out to the games, but equally, a lot of fans will be watching on TV.”