Returning to City ahead of her second campaign at the club, defender Kimberley Smit spoke to us about how her pre-season has gone so far.
The defender, who made 37 appearances across all competitions in her debut term after joining the Original Trailblazers from Excelsior Rotterdam in her native Netherlands, is in her third week of being back with her teammates.
"It has been good," Smit said with a smile after another productive session on the pitch. "We have been working hard and it's nice to be back with all the girls.
"It has been nice coming back this year and knowing the environment you're coming into. To see the girls again, it's been awesome.
"I'm feeling good, feeling fit. There is still a lot to work on, but we're going in the right direction."
Having been in the same situation only a year ago, Smit knows how it feels to be a new player arriving at City. As welcoming an environment it is, the defender appreciates how much of a transition it can be.
"I always look out for the new ones and just be there for them," Smit added. "It has been really good to get to know them. They are lovely girls."
In the form of one of our new signings, Slovenian international Lana Golob, Smit has a new centre-back partner ahead of the upcoming Scottish Women's Premier League season which kicks-off in less than a month.
The pair have been able to bond over a similar background with both defenders gaining experience playing college football in the United States and in the Belgian Super League.
"She has played in Belgium and the USA like I have, so it has been nice to talk about things like that," our No.18 said. "We still have a lot to talk about and get to know each other more, but it has been really good."
With pre-season well underway, City have already played one friendly - beating newly-promoted SWPL side Hamilton Accies 9-0 at Petershill Park last weekend.
We will travel to play a behind-closed-doors friendly against a WSL2 side this Sunday, before hosting former City manager Scott Booth's Aberdeen outfit on 3rd August at the Peasy.
"It's about getting minutes in the legs, of course, but also about getting the connection on and off the pitch," Smit explained. "Especially with the new girls and building those relationships together.
"It will be nice to see it start to come together in the games and just over pre-season. It has been a good start."
Kim and the team will be back at the Peasy on Sunday 3rd August for our next home pre-season game, hosting Aberdeen. Get your ticket on Fanbase or use your 2025/26 season ticket as entry!