Durham Women are pleased to announce their first signing of the January window in Aimee Claypole on loan from Chelsea.
The young forward joins us on loan from the Women’s Super League champions until the end of the season.
‘I’m really excited to be here.
‘The ambition of the club for the second half of the season is where I want to be as well.
‘Hopefully it will be a good loan for me and also for the Club to try and push for promotion.’
Claypole on choosing Durham…
‘The ambition that the Club has shown is something that I’m really after as well, to be at a team competing at the top.
‘I’m sure this is where I can develop too.
‘Speaking to the guys before signing, it really aligned with something that I want to achieve.’
The 19-year-old forward returns to England after a loan spell in Sweden with Linkoping for the first half of this season – as well as representing England at Under-19 level.
Big game experience…
‘It’s a great honour to play for your country and I’ve been fortunate to do it quite a few times over the youth period.
‘It’s something I’m really proud to have done and taking that experience of playing in high-intensity games into a club environment will be really helpful too.’
The Barclays Women’s Championship is a division Claypole is familiar with having spent part of last season on loan at Lewes.
Experience at this level…
‘In Lewes, it was a difficult challenge as it was at the other end of the table where you’re fighting for survival every game.
‘This is a different kind of fight which I think I’m super excited to have.
‘Coming away from the Championship a little bit, going to Sweden and then coming back has made me super excited to face it head on with the further experience then when I first played.’
Claypole has a prolific record at PGA level, scoring 30 goals in 23 games in the 2022-23 season – making her top scorer nationwide.
What else the Blue Army can expect…
‘Work rate, I’d say I’m a hard worker.
‘I will always keep fighting no matter the score, result or the way of the game.
‘I am always going to give everything and I hope I can bring that and the fans can see that and get behind us whether it’s tough moments or good moments.’
Meeting the supporters for the first time…
‘I’m super excited.
‘I think it can be quite suffocating to come here as an opposition team so I am excited to have that on my side and look to bring some enjoyment to them.
