'It feels incredible to be back'

Five years on from leaving north London, Jodie Taylor is back at the club.

The experienced striker joins us as a free agent after recently leaving San Diego Wave, and now she can't wait to get started as we enter a decisive part of the season with plenty of big games still to play. 

But how did the move come to happen outside of the transfer window?

"It’s an interesting one, I’m a free agent and I played in the US last year," Jodie told Arsenal.com. "I’m a free agent coming into this year as of January, so I think with the club and with the transfer window closing, it just seemed like a right fit. I’m a free agent available to play and obviously with injuries at the club that have occurred, I’m just super happy to have the opportunity to come in for the remainder of the season and help the team be as successful as we possibly can and push for titles.

"I think it’s a great opportunity to come back to a club that I love so much, and coming in as a free agent for a few months I just want to help the team. I’m fit, I’m healthy, I can still play and the message for me in particular is that it’s not over until it’s over and I’m still very capable of playing at this level. To get this opportunity has been incredible and I can’t wait to get started." 

Taylor previously played for the club between March 2016 and November 2017, scoring 10 goals in just 17 appearances. A lot has changed around London Colney since then, but our new signing is already feeling at home having played with a number of our squad members throughout her career. 

"It’s funny coming back and playing with a number of the girls either here or at other clubs around the world, it does feel like a little bit of a full circle moment. I think it’s been great to link back up with Steph Catley, we’ve played together at three teams throughout time in Australia and America, so it’s nice to be back with Kim and also Beth Mead, who I played with here and we were national team roommates for a hot second over there, so it’s nice to have them here and I know a few of the other girls too. They’ve been so welcoming and I’m looking forward to playing with some others in the squad too.

"The club has changed a lot. Like I said, it’s just that the club has moved forward and progressed and it’s great to see. Even during Christmas I came back and I watched them play against Lyon in the Champions League at the Emirates and that never would have happened four of five years ago, so to see how many games they’re playing at the Emirates and just the facilities in general, the resources that the team have and the numbers of staff members has increased. The growth and development of the hub alone is incredible to see. We have a full-time chef on the women’s side, a full-time kitman, the number of physios, a full-time masseuse, all the analysts and the staff, it’s great, it’s progressed so much and it’s so pleasing to see. I’m feeling so fortunate and thankful to be a part of this."