Shania Van Noland will move immediately to Servette Club. The 26-year-old goalkeeper thus signs for the Swiss league leaders.
Van Noland has been playing abroad for 8 years. After an adventure in the United States, she settled in Spain, where she played for Tenerife and Real Betis, among others. This season she defended the colors of Elche Club. “I had a great time at Elche, it's a warm family club, I gained confidence and these are the right conditions for me to perform,” says the goalkeeper.
However, she kept her eyes open for a potential new club: “There is always interest. From abroad, but in the winter also from the big four clubs in the Netherlands. But this does not become concrete before the winter.” In the end there was a transfer after the Servite Club report. The Swiss transfer window closes at a later date and the club was prepared to pay a limited transfer fee to Elche. “I'm so grateful for that,” Van Noland says.
The Dutch goalkeeper has now also trained with her new club. “I've already had great conditions in Spain, but this is a huge step up in every way. I'm playing here with nine current internationals from countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden and many former internationals. It's a very international team.” “With players from nine different countries. The standard is really high and everything around it is top notch, both in terms of accommodation and guidance. I also received a great welcome from the girls and staff.”
Van Noland will play for Servette with the number 33 shirt, and this is a conscious choice. “In the United States I wore this number very successfully for 4 years, so it is something special for me and because of Max Verstappen, it also has something Dutch,” she said. The goalkeeper faces competition from Enes Pereira, who was behind the bar for Portugal in their World Cup match against Oranje Lewinen.
“I am convinced that I am capable of joining and I will certainly get opportunities,” Van Noland said. “My calmness on the ball, my footballing abilities and organization in particular, were the reasons that prompted Servette to approach me. I would like to show that.” . Sandy Mendley, sporting director, is also enthusiastic: “Shania is a player with good background and experience, which makes her an excellent goalkeeper.”
Mendley continues: “She was able to show us all her qualities during the friendly match organized this winter against Elche in Alicante, where she faced our attackers. In light of the decisive matches that will take us until the end of next season.” We are delighted to have Shania complete our goalkeeping team.”
“I'm very much looking forward to making this step. Moving from the second division to Champions League level is of course a big challenge,” Van Noland concluded.
