Amy Harrison is on the move, with PSV Vrouwen confirming the signing of the Westfield Matildas midfielder.
Harrison comes off a history-making season with the Western Sydney Wanderers, with the 23-year-old instrumental in helping the Wanderers to their first ever Westfield W-League finals appearance.
Playing every match in the 2019/20 Season, Harrison is excited to join the Dutch side following the resumption of the Eredivisie.
"I'm obviously super excited," Harrison told matildas.com.au .
"I guess it's a little strange at the moment being so excited. However, when that green light does come, and I can get there, it's just exciting thinking about it all."
The move to the Netherlands will be Harrison's second overseas assignment following a 2019 season with NWSL side Washington Spirit. It is that international stint, and a short trip to Eindhoven that helped in signing on the dotted line once PSV came called at the end of 2019.
"I think as a footballer you want to experience as many different things in such a short career," she said.
"Luckily enough, I did get to go to PSV last year just before the World Cup. We played there and we were in Eindhoven. It was a place that I loved and it was a really cool vibe.
"The club itself was very professional in their approach and they made it kind of exciting from the first conversation I had."
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While the charms of the city might have lured Harrison off the pitch, on the pitch it is the prospect of continuing to develop her game in a league that has produced players in the Netherlands' FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 silver-medal squad.
"We've had a lot of communication about what kind of role as a team they want me to play. They've looked at me and watched a lot of games over a period of time and they do you want me to play midfield," Harrison said.
"Tactically it's all really promising and something that I think will suit me to a tee."
While enthusiastic about the opportunity before her, leaving the Wanderers is bittersweet for Harrison. She credits the team and head coach Dean Heffernan for her consistency in the recent season.
It is probably the best season I've had on and off the field in for four or five years. It’s actually been the first season I've played every single game in four years.”
“In terms of playing and keeping myself on the field, it was a big success. I honestly can't speak highly enough of the season that I had with the Wanderers. I loved it."
“I spoke to Dean about this opportunity and I actually cried on the phone to him because I didn't want to have to leave the Wanderers just because of how much enjoyment. It's helped me get to where I am today and see out this experience.”
A member of Australia's FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 squad, Amy Harrison has her sights set on the recently postponed Tokyo Olympics. While a place in the Olympic squad would fulfil a dream, Harrison is focused on the process first.
I'm just worried about getting to the Netherlands, growing as a player and just finding more consistency.”
“A lot of progress is made on the field and playing consistent minutes. For me being a longer season in Europe, and a competitive season over there with a lot of games, I think is exactly what I need right now. From that hopefully more opportunities come from a national team perspective.”
