Laura Blindkilde Brown joins the Club from our Barclays Women’s Super League rivals with an exciting reputation.
An England Under-19 international, the midfielder established herself as a regular in Carla Ward’s starting XI having previously spent time in the Villans’ academy and briefly at Birmingham City.
Here are ten things you may or may not know about our new number 19 below…
Individual awards
Working her way through the ranks at Aston Villa, Blindkilde Brown’s hard work paid off when she signed her first professional contract in September 2021.
By the end of that first campaign, the midfielder’s standout displays saw her named the club’s Young Player of the Year for 2021/22.
But the youngster’s rapid rise would continue in the following season, with our new signing once again claiming the award for a second-straight campaign.
The 20-year-old featured in all but one of the Villans’ WSL fixtures across the season, as they ended fifth in the top flight, their highest finish to date.
Familiar faces
Settling into a new environment can be a daunting prospect, but our latest recruit already knows some of her City team-mates from international duty.
The midfielder’s time playing for England’s Under-19s means she’s already shared a pitch with both Ruby Mace and Khiara Keating.
“I’ve spoken to Ruby a little bit,” Blindkilde Brown said of her move to City.
“She’s really excited as well. I can’t wait to play with her and be with her for the next couple of years.”
International allegiance
Born and raised in England, our new number 19 harbours ambitions of representing the Lionesses at senior level.
However, the European champions aren’t the only side Blindkilde Brown could have represented.
Indeed, she could also have turned out for Denmark, thanks to her Danish mother.
Going for gold
The midfielder has cited Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill as an inspiration of hers.
Among a plethora of medals and achievements, perhaps the former track and field star’s crowning moment came at the 2012 Olympics, when she won gold for Team GB in the Heptathlon.
“I think she’s a really good role model for women and she’s done so well in her career,” Blindkilde Brown said of Ennis-Hill.
View from the opposition
City fans will likely be well versed in what our new midfielder has to offer, given she’s locked horns with Gareth Taylor’s side on several occasions during her time at Aston Villa.
The England youth international featured in all three encounters between the two sides last season, with Carla Ward’s side proving a tough nut to crack for City.
In this season’s clash, which we won 2-1 at the Joie Stadium in December 2023, Blindkilde Brown was an unused substitute for the visitors.
The future’s bright
Blindkilde Brown has set her sights on firmly establishing herself as a regular at City across the remainder of 2023/24.
In the long term though, she’s hoping that a move to Gareth Taylor’s side can bring with it a senior international call-up.
“I want to firstly try and establish myself in the team,” she explained.
“And also, from an international point of view, I want to try and get into the senior team.
“I’m really excited to be here. It’s a big step in my career but I’m really excited to see what comes.”
Lasting impression
The midfielder was lucky enough to rub shoulders with several highly experienced and respected players during her time at Aston Villa.
One such star was City legend Jill Scott, who spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at the Villans before deciding to call time on her career.
“It’s helped me massively in my career,” the midfielder added.
“Playing alongside all of those experienced players, every day I can learn from them.
“Being in that environment with them and seeing how they are, it’s really helped me.”
Free-flowing football
Blindkilde Brown says City’s style of play was a key factor in her decision to join the Club, and something she always took notice of whenever facing Gareth Taylor’s side.
She also believes it can bring the best out of her own game moving forward.
“We always knew we wouldn’t have as much of the ball,” our midfielder reflected when asked for her memories of facing City.
“City are so good on the ball, dominate it all the time and have so much threat going forward. It’s always been challenging playing them.
“I think the style of play here is really suited to me. Hopefully it just develops me even more in my career.”
On the box
Our number 19 says reality TV show Made in Chelsea is one of her favourite programmes to watch.
In terms of films, American award-winning comedy-drama Marley & Me sits top of the pile.
Paws for thought
Our new recruit also revealed that she, like so many of her City team-mates, owns a pet dog.
Blindkilde Brown will inject a new energy into our midfield and, given she has to chase after her cockapoo, Toff, it’s clear to see where she gets it from!
