Yn had made it through the week at Lionesses camp feeling more confident than she had in months. Every day, she trained with full focus, pushing herself and proving her talent in every drill. The other players noticed, too, and her hard work wasn’t going unnoticed by the coaches. As the last day wrapped up and players packed up to head back to their clubs, she was surrounded by teammates who seemed genuinely hopeful for her future.
“Honestly, Yn, you’ve got to find a club soon,” Leah said, pulling her in for a hug as they stood by the locker room. “You’re too good not to be out there every week.”
Lucy nodded, slinging her kit bag over her shoulder. “Leah’s right. Anyone who doesn’t see what you can bring to a team is blind.”
Yn chuckled, touched by their support. “Thanks, Lucy. It really means a lot… I’ve been feeling a bit lost, but this week gave me hope.”
“Hang in there, Yn,” Ella chimed in, giving her an encouraging smile. “We’re all rooting for you, and I know something’s bound to come your way.”
With heartfelt goodbyes, Yn left the camp feeling both grateful and hopeful, her heart a bit lighter than when she’d arrived.
---
Returning to her apartment, Yn tried to keep up her fitness and routine. Every morning, she’d go for a run around her local area, and in the afternoons, she hit the gym to stay sharp and focused. But, after a few weeks of training on her own, Yn couldn’t help but feel the absence of a team environment.
One Saturday afternoon, Yn decided to relax and watch Arsenal Women play Chelsea on TV. It was a thrilling match—intense, competitive, and packed with talent. She spotted familiar faces from Lionesses camp: Leah, Alessia, and Beth Mead, whom she’d gotten to know over the past week. The game was in full swing when, suddenly, Beth went down after a heavy tackle. Yn’s heart skipped a beat as she watched Beth clutch her leg in pain, grimacing on the ground.
“Oh no… please don’t let it be bad,” Yn whispered to herself, concern flooding her as the medics came rushing onto the pitch. She’d grown close to Beth, and it hurt to see her like this. As the camera zoomed in on Beth being helped off, Yn held her breath, hoping it wasn’t serious.
---
A couple of days later, Yn was on her usual morning run, headphones in and her mind focused. The early morning air was crisp, and she’d found a steady rhythm on her route through the park when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Surprised, she slowed to a jog and pulled it out, seeing an incoming call from Leah Williamson.
“Leah?” she answered, a bit breathless. “What’s up?”
“Yn! Are you free today?” Leah’s voice sounded urgent yet excited.
“Um, yeah, just on my morning run right now. Why, what’s going on?”
Leah chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you’re keeping up the training because… listen, Renee, Arsenal’s manager, wants to have a chat with you. She saw you at England camp and liked what she saw.”
Yn stopped in her tracks, processing Leah’s words. “Wait, what? Arsenal’s manager… wants to talk to me?”
“Yes!” Leah said, her voice full of encouragement. “Renee thinks you could be a great fit, especially with… well, after Beth’s injury. She’s out for a while, and they’re looking for cover on the wing.”
Yn’s heart pounded with a mix of excitement and disbelief. “I don’t even know what to say. Do you really think this could be my chance?”
Leah’s tone was firm. “Yn, this is definitely your chance. Come down to the training ground today. I’ll be there to meet you, and I’ll introduce you to Renee.”
Yn took a deep breath, a grin spreading across her face. “Okay, Leah. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
---
A couple of hours later, Yn stood in front of the Arsenal training ground, feeling a familiar wave of nerves and excitement. She spotted Leah waiting by the entrance, waving her over with a bright smile.
“Hey! You made it,” Leah greeted her with a warm hug. “You ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Yn replied, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach. “Thanks so much for helping me get here, Leah.”
Leah shrugged, grinning. “It’s no big deal. You deserve this, Yn. Now, come on, Renee’s waiting inside.”
The two of them walked through the corridors until they reached Renee’s office. Leah knocked, and the door opened to reveal the manager herself, who offered Yn a welcoming smile.
“Yn, thank you for coming in,” Renee greeted, gesturing for her to sit down. Leah gave her an encouraging look before excusing herself, closing the door to give them privacy.
“Thank you for having me,” Yn said, her voice steady as she sat down.
Renee studied her thoughtfully. “I watched you during the England camp, and I was very impressed by what I saw. You’ve got pace, skill, and the determination that I think could be a strong asset to our squad.”
Yn felt her cheeks warm with pride. “Thank you. I’ve been working hard, and… I’d really love the chance to prove myself here.”
Renee nodded. “As you might know, Beth is going to be out for a while with her injury, and we need cover on the wing. I think you could be a great fit, but it’s important to me that any player we bring in is committed to the team. So, I want to know if you’re ready to give it your all.”
Yn didn’t hesitate. “I’m ready, Renee. I know I’ve had a rough patch, but this is exactly the opportunity I’ve been hoping for. I’ll give everything I’ve got.”
Renee’s gaze softened, and she offered a small smile. “Good to hear. We’re still finalizing a few things, but if everything goes through, we’ll start you in training immediately.”
Yn’s heart leaped. “Thank you. I won’t let you down, I promise.”
Renee extended her hand, and Yn shook it firmly, feeling a surge of excitement. This was really happening.
---
Outside, Yn found Leah waiting, grinning from ear to ear. “Well? How did it go?”
Yn practically glowed with excitement. “I think… I think I might actually have a shot here, Leah! Renee said they’re finalizing things, but it looks like I’ll be training with Arsenal.”
Leah pulled her into a hug. “I’m so happy for you, Yn. I knew you’d nail it. This is just the beginning.”
They walked out of the training ground together, and as Yn looked around, the realization of what was happening settled over her. She was about to become part of a new team, one that valued her and wanted to give her a real chance.
“Thank you for everything, Leah. I wouldn’t be here without you,” Yn said, feeling a swell of gratitude.
Leah chuckled, patting her on the back. “Hey, don’t thank me yet. You’ll need to survive a few rounds with Katie in training first.”
They both laughed, and Yn felt, for the first time in a long while, that she was exactly where she was meant to be.
