WOSO Imagines

Back in Blue (Niamh Charles)

"We want you to come back, Olivia."

Those words had been playing in my head all weekend after my meeting with my Agent. My contract with Shelbourne had just expired and I was entertaining a few offers from clubs back home. I knew it would be the only way to get a Senior England call-up, and in all honesty, I had been homesick since COVID-19 began. I knew Liverpool was interested, and I was actually considering them given that I came up through their academy. What I wasn't expecting was an offer from the club I spent two seasons at during my teenage years.

"What do you think you're going to do?" my Agent asks. "They need an answer by the end of the week."

Playing for a big club would be scary, and I knew I wouldn't be guaranteed a starting position given the talent that was already there. But I found that I didn't care. I wanted to be a part of that team, to win another league title, to play Champions League for a club that could make it to the final.

"Tell them I accept."

So, I signed a contract through 2025, pledging three years to the club I had spent the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons with before moving to Ireland. I didn't know what was in store, but I certainly knew who, and it was exciting and terrifying all at once.

Cobham was familiar to me and when I arrive for my first day, it feels like I never left. Emma Hayes is there to greet me, along with my old friend, and now Captain.

"Magda! I'm so glad to see you," I gush, hugging the Swede tightly.

"Welcome back, Oli. I missed you," she greets, hugging me back just as tightly.

"How's Pernille? I was so excited when I heard you were back playing together."

"She's great, and also very excited to have you back. I think she missed having someone to talk to in London."

"Ligeledes." (Likewise) My dad is Danish, so when Magda introduced me to Pernille, we immediately clicked over a shared love of stegt flæsk.

"We're all very happy that you are rejoining our family," Emma says, shaking my hand. "You've grown as a player since the last time you wore blue, and I'm ready to see what you bring to this squad. Shall we head in?"

I nod, feeling all the anxiety bubble up. Always the observant person, Magda notices.

"Don't worry, everything is going to be okay," she whispers as we begin to walk, knocking her shoulder with mine.

"Thanks, Magda."

Most of the facilities are the same as when I was last here, just updated, but I take in everything Emma and Magda say, asking questions when they pop into my mind and sharing memories from my last stint with the Blues.

"And here we have our recovery room, and–oh! I didn't realize anyone would be in here," Emma says, opening a door beside the gym. "Hello, girls. This is Olivia Rask, our new midfielder."

Out of the five girls in the room, only four of them greet me with warm smiles.

"Hi, I'm Guro."

"Erin."

"I'm Lauren, but you can call me LJ."

"I'm Jessie."

"Nice to meet you all," I say. "I look forward to playing with you."

"Don't be rude, introduce yourself," Jessie whispers to the girl sitting beside her, nudging her in the ribs with her elbow. "I swear you Brits have no manners."

"Oli..." the girl breathes, her eyes fixed on me.

"Hi, Niamhy. Long time, no see."

"That's right, I forgot you two know each other," Emma interjects. "Went through Liverpool's academy together."