Former Bristol City forward Heather Payne says that she will be looking to return to Europe to begin a professional career when her time in the United States comes to an end.
The youngster spent the 2018/2019 season with The Robins before the Republic of Ireland international moved to the United States where she has represented the Florida State Seminoles.
Payne opened her goalscoring account for her country at senior level on Friday as she scored her side’s first goal in a 3-2 defeat away in Iceland. The 21-year-old also earned the Player of the Match award for her performance in that match.
Katie McCabe’s dangerous delivery into the area eventually found it’s way to Payne who buried the opportunity to give her side the breakthrough. McCabe went into the game fresh off the back of an excellent season with Arsenal which secured her a place in the PFA Team of the Year. Youngster Payne is relishing the opportunity to learn from such a brilliant teammate.
“It’s great playing with Katie every time I come into camp;” she said in an FAI press conference. “You can just see how experienced she is, even though she is young still and how much quality she has. It’s great learning from her, just seeing what she does in camp and me trying to mirror off that and try and develop the way she’s developed.”
There are few better players to emulate than the Arsenal star who is still just 25 herself. Payne went on to comment on her potential future career path with the prospect of a professional deal in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League or FA Women’s Championship not discounted.
She added “I have a year-and-a-half left in Florida so yes, I will be looking to come back and play professionally. It just depends on where I want to go really and then see where I can be taken in. Hopefully, I will return maybe to England some day.”
Whatever her decision may be, Payne has a bright career ahead of her and there will surely be clubs tracking her progress in America before she moves closer to home in early 2023.
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