Fit-again Stott back at Brighton
Football Fern Rebekah Stott has rejoined English Women’s Super League club Brighton and Hove Albion in what promises to be an emotional return for the inspirational defender after beating cancer.
The centre-back played eight games in the WSL with Brighton in 2020 but was forced to cut her stint short when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Stott returned to Australia in order to undergo chemotherapy treatment.
After being told she was in complete remission 12 months ago, Stott has gradually made her way back to elite football over the past year – the move back to Brighton is another significant milestone on the comeback trail.
Stott returned to the pitch with Bulleen Lions last July before officially marking her professional football return with Melbourne City in the A-League Women over the summer.
Her first international game back with the Football Ferns came at the SheBelieves Cup in February.
The WSL is arguably the strongest league in women’s football with a host of global stars now plying their trade in the English topflight.
Stott will be the fourth Fern in the WSL, joining Ria Percival (Tottenham Hotspur), CJ Bott (Leicester City) Anna Leat (Aston Villa).
‘‘I’m so stoked to be back. I can’t wait to get started with the girls. I really feel like I’ve got some unfinished business,’’ she said after re-signing with Brighton on a twoyear deal.
‘‘It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life with a lot of ups and a lot of downs – probably more downs.
‘‘But I had a lot of support, I got through it and here I am now a year later and I’m healthy again.
‘‘It’s been a long journey to get back to full fitness and I’m nearly there. I’m getting a lot stronger and a lot fitter. It has been very hard but I’ve finally got there.’’
Brighton coach Hope Powell said the club was delighted to welcome ‘Stotty’ back.
‘‘The circumstances around Stotty’s departure in 2020 were really difficult for everyone, no one more so than for her,’’ Powell said.
‘‘She had only been with us for a short period of time, but was already a popular member of the squad before she headed back to Australia for treatment.
‘‘We were all absolutely delighted and relieved when we found out her treatment had gone well and that she was on the mend. Now she’s back to full fitness and wants to have a proper go at the WSL and we are happy to have her back.’’
Stott’s move to Brighton was announced on the same day two Football Ferns goalkeepers Vic Esson and Lily Alfeld put pen to paper on new deals.
Esson has joined Scottish champions Rangers following a brief stint in Germany with SC Sand, while Alfeld has re-signed with Wellington Phoenix on a one-year deal.
Alfeld captained the Phoenix in their inaugural A-League Women campaign.
Alfeld said it was ‘‘a no brainer’’ to re-sign with the club she’s supported since she was a kid.
‘‘I’m beyond stoked,’’ Alfeld said. ‘‘I’m very, very excited to now have the chance to be able to play back at home and to be based out of New Zealand.
‘‘To play for the Phoenix means a lot because I grew up watching them. I love the club and I really believe in what the staff are asking us to do.’’