At just 25 years old, Lana Golob has already gained plenty of experience playing football around the globe. In signing for Glasgow City, Scotland is the sixth country the centre-back has plied her trade in.
The Slovenian international has previously played with ŽNK Škale, ŽNK Radomlje, and ŽNK Mura in her home country, the USA at Virginia University, Italy with Napoli, Pomigliano and Bologna, Switzerland at Basel and OH Leuven in Belgium.
“I decide where to go more on my football aspirations, but then I try to find something out about the place I'm going to live," Golob explained. “I’m always interested in learning more about where I am going to live. There’s always something beautiful in every single place.”
Now in Glasgow, Golob is ready to bring her international experience to the Scottish game, but before settling in, she took a whistle-stop tour of the city with the club’s media team and shared some reflections on her footballing journey so far...
Slovenia
Golob's time in Slovenia was an important introduction to the senior game, as she developed in an environment that was still finding its footing.
"I was 18 when I left Slovenia, so the league is still developing but it’s not there yet to sustain being a professional. It was a good start for me, but I knew I needed to go elsewhere to improve.
"Not being near my family has been the downside of living abroad for eight years. I mainly see them for a few days when I’m on camp with the national team.
"It is the biggest honour representing my country. I still get goosebumps every time I hear the national anthem. It’s a special feeling, especially if my family are in the stands.
"I just became an aunt two weeks ago and I’m hoping my niece will get the chance to watch me play more often."
USA
A first move abroad arrived when Golob moved to the United States to play college football in Richmond. Here, she was introduced to a new way of life.
"It was my first opportunity to see how a country or an organisation really invests into women’s football. The facilities were incredible. I saw a completely different level.
"Living in the USA was very different from home because I'm from a small village with 200 people. Richmond was quite a change.
"Every time you put yourself in a situation outside of your comfort zone, you’re going to grow. I learned so many things.
The playing style was much more direct, but I picked up things I wouldn’t have been able to learn from playing in a different country. They are very into the gym and running. I’m grateful for all the experiences."
Italy
After graduating from university, a move back to Europe followed. She would go on to play for three clubs in Italy, where she enjoyed life on and off the pitch.
"I loved life in Italy – good food, good people and great coffee!
"Anytime I had a day off when I was at Napoli, we went to Positano in the Amalfi coast. It was just a completely different way of life. They try to enjoy every single moment, and I love that mindset.
"The football was very possession-based, so I learned a lot in football as well as in life as a person away from the pitch."
Switzerland
Golob has always made a point to immerse herself in the place she plays. In Basel, she embraced the city's art, history and a new footballing approach.
"I met really good people there in Switzerland. We still keep in touch.
"It was an interesting experience living in Basel. It’s a very beautiful city where the river flows through the middle. It’s very artistic and has a lot of history, so I really enjoyed my time there.
"The influence there with the playing style is kind of like in Germany, so I got to experience something different on the pitch, too."
Belgium
Although her time in Belgium saw her feature less on the pitch, it provided her with valuable lessons in what it means to be a teammate and making the most of every opportunity.
"It was a different experience. I didn’t play that much, but I had to grow in other aspects and develop into being a really good teammate.
"With every experience, you need to try and get the best out of it. You need to have the right mindset. Even if you are not playing as much, you still need to show up and be your best because you are part of the team.
"The team is at the centre of what we do and you need to still be able to help out in the best way possible. If you are not able to do that on the pitch, then you think of other ways to help."