On Wednesday, confirmation arrived that Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan would be making a loan move to Brighton and Hove Albion from North Carolina Courage.
First revealed to RTÉ Sport by Ireland head coach Vera Pauw two weeks previously, the temporary transfer reduces the logistical issues O'Sullivan would have faced in travelling back and forth across the Atlantic in trying to play a part in crucial upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
As she prepares for the loan spell in the burgeoning Women's Super League, O'Sullivan spoke of her excitement at the new adventure closer to home where she will link up with Irish international colleagues Rianna Jarrett and Megan Connolly.
"It's very exciting, finally close to home after four years but it came about a couple of weeks ago because of Covid really," the Cork native explained to RTÉ 2fm's Game On.
"Due to international duty, I would have been travelling back in September, October and December. Travelling back and forth into the USA, you have to quarantine for two weeks.
"So I would have missed a lot of training and I would have missed some of the games for North Carolina.
💙 Our new signing on joining the club...
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) September 10, 2020
"I am very excited to have joined Albion. It's a great opportunity to challenge myself with a talented squad in a league that’s becoming more and more competitive."
🙌 Great to have you here, @OSullivanDenise!#BHAFC 🔵⚪️ | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/3I4yoR0dtn
"It was in the best interest of myself to go and get some game time and my agent just got in touch and he spoke with the club and they just came to a deal. I'm ever happy to be here now."
Having quarantined for two weeks upon arrival in Brighton, O'Sullivan started training with the club on Monday and is now available to play if called upon against Manchester City this weekend.
She has also been enjoying of playing and training alongside international team-mates on a more day to day basis.
"Obviously, Rianna Jarrett and Megan Connolly are here and they're good friends of mine now for years," said O'Sullivan.
"I've played with them since I was 15-years-old so it's great to be with them finally at club level. It will be good to get some game time together going forward into the Germany game.
"It's great and I'm living with them too, so having familiar faces here is definitely great."
