Women. Sofia Borg signs first professional contract: 'I will do anything it takes'

Sofia Borg
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After signing her first professional contract with Newcastle United Women, Australian goalkeeper Sofia Borg says she "will do anything it takes" to make her time on Tyneside a success.

Tom Easterby

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The 18-year-old joined the club in March after a trial period, and since then has been playing for the club's PGA.

As well as getting regular minutes for United's second string, she has also learned within a first-team environment under the watchful eye of compatriot Tanya Oxtoby.

"Football means the world to me," Borg told newcastleunited.com. "I will do anything it takes to make it as high up as possible.

"That's why I am so excited to be here with the club and to grow here over the coming years and develop as a player and a person.

"I'm still a young player, so it's all about just training and playing games, but the support here is amazing, and I know this is the place for me to grow."

Since arriving in England, Borg has relished her opportunities to train with Oxtoby's first team alongside the rest of the Magpies' goalkeeping unit.

Senior stoppers Anna Tamminen and Kayla Rendell have both of them have come from very different backgrounds, and Borg is grateful for the chance to learn from the pair.

"I have already learned a lot from both Kayla and Anna since they’ve been at the club, both on and off the pitch," she said.

"They have different experiences, but they are both such nice people and great goalkeepers.

"I try to ask them a lot of questions, and they're always open and give me good answers. It's great for me to be able to train with them and watch how they play and act off the pitch because they’re both such great role models, and I definitely look up to them.”

Borg first started to make a name for herself when she was playing for Perth Redstar Girls under-16s in her homeland, before following the Football Australia Academy pathway.

The teenager has hefty goals and ambitions that align with United's, and is determined to make the most of her career in the professional game.

"This means a lot, not just for me, but for my family as well, and I think my mum and dad are really proud of me," she added.

"My dad flew over yesterday to surprise me, and that really means a lot. It's honestly been an amazing experience, moving over from Australia.

"Newcastle is such a big name in football, and I think for the short amount of time I've been here, it’s been incredible.

"My goals now are just about developing as a goalkeeper and playing as much football as I can and continue to be the best goalkeeper that I can be."

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