Brighton & Hove Albion defender returns to Australia due to medical reasons

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Rebekah Stott has announced that she has returned to her home in Australia and will play no part in the remainder of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.

The 27-year-old New Zealand international joined Albion from W-League club Melbourne City last year and has made seven appearances for Hope Powell’s side in this season’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

The defender has played an important role in the Albion side but she has today issued a post on her personal Twitter account confirming that she has returned home to Australia due to medical reasons.

An update from me. 💙 pic.twitter.com/wDtEZwMOlf

— Rebekah Stott (@stotty_13) February 16, 2021

Stott agreed a one-year deal with Albion when she signed on at The People’s Pension Stadium on the eve of the new season. The player has stated that she has enjoyed her time with The Seagulls ‘so far’, indicating that Stott could potentially return to the club for a second season next year if her personal circumstances allow.

The defender will be missed by Albion with Stott having brought real quality and experience to the club’s backline. Her season highlights include a heroic defensive performance in the goalless draw with Manchester City at The Academy Stadium in September while she helped her side restrict Chelsea to just the one goal in a 1-0 home defeat before the Christmas break.

Stott is the most experienced international player in the Brighton & Hove Albion side with 79 senior international caps to her name, collected during almost 11 years of service with the New Zealand national team.

Daniel Pentland

I am the editor and owner of FAWSL Full-Time magazine. I have been reporting on men’s and women’s football at various levels since summer 2015. Some of the events which I have reported from include the 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championship, 2018 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, SSE Women’s FA Cup final, Emirates FA Cup final, UEFA Europa League, English Football League and various international matches.

See author's posts