Ffion Morgan believes she was destined to play in the Women's Super League for Bristol City.

The Wales defender, 23, graduated from the club's academy but left in 2018 to join Cardiff before spells with Coventry and Crystal Palace. 

She rejoined in 2021 and was a key player for Lauren Smith last term as the Robins booked their return to the top flight after a two-year absence. 

And Morgan is relishing the opportunity to realise her dream. Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, she said: "My journey has come full circle in the end.

"Things fell into place and I think Bristol was meant to be, I love it. 

"I have been here [on and off] for years now and I'm close to home, so I've seen my family a lot more. 

"If I wanted to live anywhere in England, it'd have to be the closest city to Wales. It's been ideal."

Point to prove

Although the Robins will play their home league games at Ashton Gate this term, Smith's side receive less funding than the likes of reigning champions Chelsea. 

But Morgan is not letting that deter her motivation to compete with the best.

She added: "We don't have everything the top flight teams do, so we're having to come in with a bit more grit in our teeth. And sometimes it's actually harder to play against teams like that.

"We definitely want to make things difficult when people come to Ashton Gate. We don't want people to enjoy themselves against us.

"When you invest in the women's team, it does help. Look at Newcastle and the investment they're having at the moment. Manchester United in the last five years have just flown up from investments."

Calm and composed

Morgan has been capped 19 times by her country and hopes her experience playing against the world's top players can benefit her club against the elite sides. 

She said: "I've spent seven or eight years in senior football, so I've definitely got experience of what it's like.

"I've had the honour of playing against such great players from a young age on the international stage and hopefully now I can do that every week. 

"The higher standard that I play, hopefully the better player I become."

One step at a time

The Robins face Willie Kirk's Foxes in their WSL opener on Sunday and Morgan is wary of the challenge of competing in the top flight. 

She said: "The WSL is such a competitive league but competitive in different ways. 

"In the Championship, you can go in and you can beat anyone. Everyone beats everyone. We've already seen that.

"We're not deluded. We're not going to go in expecting to take so many points from all these big teams.

"But we're very realistic in the way that we're going to compete with teams, so I'm really looking forward to that."