There is no denying the love Linda Motlhalo has for our club. Her love extends to the city she has called home across two spells – and will now continue to do so until the summer of 2027, having signed a new contract.
Sitting over a coffee and a hot chocolate for Linda in the West End of Glasgow, we delve into what this city means to her.
As the midfielder talks, it becomes apparent that finding a home thousands of miles away from where she grew up was not something that just happened by accident.
People are met. Relationships are nurtured. New avenues are explored. All of which have helped Linda feel more herself in Scotland.
“Last year, I was not as outgoing, but now I’m more intentional in where I go and what I do in Glasgow,” Linda explains to us.
“I go out to different coffee shops and the sauna with my teammates. Just seeing new and different parts of Glasgow, and that has made a huge difference for me – really seeing the city for what it is.
“The first thing I think about when someone mentions Glasgow, I’d say it’s vibrant.
“It’s a small city, but it’s very vibrant. It’s looking at people, people catching up, and people laughing; that’s just nice to see.
“I do love my own space, but at the same time, I know that people, especially where I am from, do not have the privilege of travelling, and I do have that privilege. So, why not explore and tell the stories when I get home?
“My favourite story to tell people is just about my teammates and what we get up to. I’ve got a family away from home, and that’s what I always tell people.”
Linda may have found a home in Glasgow, but staying connected to South Africa remains an important part of helping her feel settled in Scotland.
She has been able to do this by forming meaningful relationships with people who remind her of where she comes from.
“I met two guys here earlier this season who are from South Africa,” the Banyana Banyana midfielder says. “They just randomly came to a game, and we just clicked.
“They have been coming to my games for a while now, and I feel like I’m back home now because of them. I go and talk to them after our matches.
“Having people like them who are from South Africa that I can spend time with in Glasgow, it just helps it feel like home.
“The most important thing is having people I can speak my own language with. It’s nice because I’m always speaking English.
“It means a lot. The only language I speak with my parents is our own, so it’s very important to me that I can do that here with people from South Africa.”
That sense of belonging has allowed Linda to explore new opportunities and showcase different sides of her personality. Using her platform, she has connected with others who have also found a home in Glasgow.
“On my social media, I can be myself and let people see a bit of who I am,” Linda tells us. “I love dancing. I love looking good.
“So, someone from Glasgow saw that and was in my DMs, saying we should collaborate, and she would do my hair. Basically, it was an opportunity for us to both showcase our talents.
“But, the fact I can be myself and do what I want to do on things like social media comes from my teammates and the staff – the environment at Glasgow City.
“It goes back to me being happy and everyone at the club has accommodated me very well to a point where I can really be myself and do what I want to do.”
So, with her future committed to Glasgow and with a life settled both on and off the pitch, Linda is ready to embrace what comes next.
“I’m just trying to live in the moment more, but hopefully it is going to be a really good year and one that will bring more trophies to the team," she says.
There are sponsorship opportunities remaining for Linda. If you're interested, get in touch with our commercial team cas.stewart@glasgowcityfc.co.uk