Canada head coach Bev Priestman has given her seal of approval to Deanne Rose’s move to Barclays FA Women’s Super League club Reading.
Before being crowned an Olympic champion following a chaotic penalty shootout victory against Sweden, Rose secured her first professional contract with Reading.
With the loss of important forwards Danielle Carter and Lauren Bruton this summer, Royals boss Kelly Chambers has made two astute signings in Natasha Dowie and Canada’s Rose as replacements.
Speaking to FAWSL Full-Time in a recent Canada Soccer press conference, head coach Priestman said that she believes that Rose will be crucial to Reading’s hopes of progression towards the European qualification spots this season.
“I’m so excited for her to go professional, I think it is the next step in where she can be,” said Priestman. “She’s just so quick and dangerous to any team coming up against her.
“The minute you put her on as a coach, you’re just filled with confidence because you see the opposition backline think ‘what have I got to deal with here?'”
Towards the end of last season, Reading boss Chambers stated a need to strengthen, identifying an inability to break down teams which resulted in inconsistency and The Royals drawing more games than any other team in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. However, with the acquisition of Canada’s Rose, Reading may have gone some way to solving their problem. Throughout the Olympic Games, Canada boss Priestman entrusted Rose to perform within high pressure moments and change the tide of games.
“For me she was fundamental, you think about the penalty against the US, the run in behind was critical and a world class penalty when it really mattered,” Priestman added.
“The future is really bright for Deanne, I can’t wait to watch her play week in, week out professionally because she’s ready and she can tear up defences given the chance.”
Even at the young age of 22, Rose brings a wealth of experience to The Royals’ ranks with the player boasting over 50 senior international caps for Canada and two Olympic medals. Yet, Priestman believes that the Barclays FA Women’s Super League will improve the player’s physicality and in-turn, strengthen the national side.
“It’s the next step, she’s been in college and with the college season, it’s short,” claimed Priestman.
“Now for Deanne to hit that next level; to be more durable, fitter, play week in, week out in meaningful competition, it’s going to be critical for her.”
Rose could make her Reading debut when The Royals travel to Manchester United for their opening fixture of the new Barclays FA Women’s Super League season on Friday 3 September.