It's been quite a summer for Amber Barrett.
The Donegal 23-year-old has been the standout attacker in the Women's National League for the last couple of years, consistently shining - and scoring - for Peamount United.
She made her senior Republic of Ireland debut two years ago and has blossomed under the watchful eye of Colin Bell, who was instrumental in Barrett making the move to FC Koln in June, where she signed her first fully professional contract.
Bell has since departed as Ireland boss to take up a role with Huddersfield Town, and though Barrett was full of praise for the Englishman, she's focused on the here and now for club and country.
"Bar not being able to speak a word of German it's been good so far!" she told 2fm's Game On.
"Training has been a big step up for me. Adapting to that has been the main challenge I've had bar the language, but I found my feet straight away.
"I've to pinch myself every time I think about it. It doesn't seem like it's real yet. I didn't want to just become a professional footballer for the sake of it. I want to make my mark.
"The competition for places here is at an all-time high. That's been a big step up as well. Even a semi bad training session might keep you out of the team. You have to maintain your standards all the time, on and off the pitch. There's really really, really terrific players in FC Koln."
She admits Bell's departure was a blow. Ireland begin their Euro 2021 qualification campaign against Montenegro in Tallaght on Tuesday without a permanent boss in situ (Tom O'Connor has taken the reins on an interim basis) but Barrett insists it won't break the team's focus.
"I was disappointed," she said of Bell's exit.
"He brought me into the squad, gave me my first cap. I played under him when I scored my first goal. He played a big role in securing me a contract in Cologne.
"Certain people have said to me, 'oh you've moved to Germany for Colin and now it's fallen through' but that was never the case. He was just very aware that my ambitions were to go and play abroad.
"I can be nothing but thankful to him. He's been terrific for me and huge influence in my career.
"At the same time, with someone else coming in it give me a new alternative. It's someone else to impress."
Barrett now wants to see a driven, quality candidate to come in and take Ireland to new heights, though she was keen to highlight the qualities O'Connor has brought to the table.
"Whoever it is that comes in, as long as it's the best person for the job, I don't really mind who we get," she said.
"As long as it's someone who's going to take the development we've had the last couple of years, bring it on to the next level and get us to the Euros in England in 2021.
"Tom has been involved in the senior women's setup the last number of years. He's been exceptional. Tom has done a terrific job so far."
