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Scotland international Erin Cuthbert loving life at Chelsea Ladies

Erin Cuthbert has penned a deal with Chelsea Ladies until 2019
Image: Erin Cuthbert could not pass up chance to play professional football

Scottish wonderkid Erin Cuthbert is convinced joining Chelsea Ladies will help take her game to the next level.

Cuthbert joined Chelsea after winning the title with Glasgow City and ending last season as the SWPL's top goalscorer as well as the league Player of the Year.

The 18-year-old has made an instant impact for her new club, netting Chelsea's fourth goal in the 6-0 Spring Series thrashing of Yeovil Town Ladies on her league debut last month.

"Moving to Chelsea has already proved a real experience," Cuthbert told Sky Sports at an event hosted at Stamford Bridge in association with the club's official charity partner Plan International.

(L-R) Erin Cuthbert, Crystal Dunn, Maren Mjelde and Ramona Bachmann (pic: Chelsea FC)
Image: (L-R) Cuthbert, Crystal Dunn, Maren Mjelde and Ramona Bachmann at Stamford Bridge event (pic: Chelsea FC)

"I was leaving behind a successful club in Glasgow City, leaving behind my family and friends and all of my home comforts, but this was a chance to have my first taste of a professional environment and playing professional football.

"There is quality at Glasgow City but here the level is world class. And it's not just our starting XI, it's a full squad of 23/24 quality players and we've seen how important that has been in recent matches.

Eniola Aluko of Chelsea Ladies FC and Gemma Davison celebrates with the trophy after winning the Women's FA Cup on August 1, 2015
Image: Chelsea Ladies won a league and FA Cup double in 2015

"It would have been fine staying and playing 90 minutes week-in, week-out for Glasgow City but I just felt this was the step up I had to make in order to progress myself and improve as a player.

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"I could see the direction that this club was going in and it was something I really wanted to be a part of. I'm grateful to [manager] Emma Hayes for giving me this opportunity."

during the U15 Women's international friendly match between Germany and Scotland at Sportschule Hennef on November 3, 2011 in Hennef, Germany.
Image: Cuthbert has progressed through Scotland's age groups and has captained the U19s

Cuthbert has captained Scotland's U19s but has already made six international appearances for the senior team and is targeting a place in Anna Signeul's Euro 2017 squad that travels to the Netherlands this summer.

Scotland's tournament opener - against England in Utrecht on July 19 - falls on Cuthbert's 19th birthday and the midfielder expects the all-British showdown to be a war of attrition.

"Everything I'm doing now is in preparation for the Euros and hopefully I play some part in the selection process," she said.

Scotland went top of Group 1 with a 7-0 win over Belarus
Image: Scotland's Women will play in the first major tournament in their history this summer

"It will be a real honour if I'm selected for that squad at 18 years old and it's something I'm really striving towards. Representing your country at a major tournament would be a dream come true and is something every young girl playing football wants to achieve.

"We've seen at men's level when England play Scotland it's always a real battle. It's not always about ability it's also about who wins their individual battles on the pitch.

England's players celebrate their World Cup finish
Image: World Cup bronze medallists England lie in wait for Scotland on July 19

"There is a fierce rivalry between the two countries. I've got good friends who play for England but when you step on to that pitch there are no friends.

"When it comes to England v Scotland I think it comes down to who wants it more and hopefully we will be psyched up enough to win it on the day."

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