It truly feels as though the stars have aligned for Lotte Wubben-Moy after being called up to the Lionesses squad just days after returning to England.
The 22-year-old had spent the last two years studying and playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels in the USA before returning to her childhood club Arsenal earlier this month.
Wubben-Moy, who takes her name from her Dutch father and English mother, once captained the Gunners’ development team and made a handful of appearances for them in the Barclays FA WSL before departing in 2017.
Now after forgoing her final year studying in the States and landing back on home soil, she can count herself among a special group of players to have been called up for their country.
“Excellence is the standard here from the meetings to the training field to the meal rooms,” she said of her first few days with the senior squad.
“It was obviously a bit of a shock coming from quarantine straight into the camp but the girls all made me feel very welcome and it helped that there are a lot of new faces in the squad.
“As was the case with my recent return to Arsenal, everything feels as though it is coming full circle now and all the hard work has been worth it.
“I’ve been coming to SGP for my whole youth career and now I’m pulling on the England jersey alongside Steph Houghton and my mates from U17s - that is what I worked hard for so I need to perform to the best of my ability now.”
“The timing just feels unbelievable to be honest. I finished my journey in America early, came straight back to Arsenal and now suddenly I’ve got an England call up - I'm very grateful for the opportunities I now have.”
Wubben-Moy’s talent as a youngster was obvious and saw her pick up caps for England right from the U15s through to the U21s, so a full international call up seemed inevitable.
Coupla' newbies!@ellatoone99 🤝 @lottewubbenmoy 🤝 @MillieTurner_ pic.twitter.com/Xjx8VQAjEs
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) September 19, 2020
But nobody would have predicted the circumstances it arrived under, with the defender forced to quarantine after arriving back home in London to sign for Arsenal.
She explained the moment she found out she would be part of the squad: “I was at home in my bedroom in quarantine because I had just come back from the USA and I got the call from Phil.
“As soon as I put the phone down, I just screamed and my mum heard me and texted me because we have to remain distanced in the house.
“I could barely write the text message so I just shouted down the stairs to her and it became a house full of joy after that moment.
“It’s the one bit of news I needed to brighten up my quarantine period.”
On arrival at St. George’s Park last week the players were split up into two separate teams that would train together and then face off in an in-house friendly last Friday.
Wubben-Moy was selected on the bench for the ‘away team’ led by skipper Steph Houghton and came off the bench in a 3-0 defeat to Ellen White's ‘home team’.
And despite it being a totally unique experience for the newbie, she was able to use some of her college experiences to adapt immediately.
“We tried out a new formation with a 3-4-3 and with that obviously comes new challenges which brings people out of their shells a bit,’ she said.
“I’m lucky because I played that formation for UNC [University of North Carolina] but it was interesting to play alongside the older girls and see how they navigate those challenges.
“I felt comfortable and also was able to lend a hand to those who may not have found it so comfortable - it was really fun.
“Of course, it won’t be considered as a full international fixture but there is nothing like pulling on the shirt - and a red one too which I enjoyed!”
England manager Phil Neville deliberately named a hoard of new faces in the training squad when he announced it earlier in September with the ambition of giving them vital experience.
Wubben-Moy was joined by the likes of Esme Morgan, Millie Turner, Rinsola Babajide, Ella Toone, Niamh Charles, Hannah Hampton and Katie Zelem (eventually forced to withdraw).
These players have now had the chance to learn from England’s finest and Wubben-Moy has used the opportunity to observe and study, as well as make friends.
“I’ve really come to enjoy the company of Jill Scott this week and for some reason we’ve found ourselves on the same dinner table one too many times,” she laughed.
“She’s obviously a blue at Manchester City but I definitely see a friend in her and I know I can always go to her for any advice - she’s seen it all and she still knows how to have a laugh too.
“Being able to benchmark myself against the best has been amazing. Of course at Arsenal, you’re playing with girls who come from all over the world but there is nothing like being immersed in home grown talent.
“Spending time around strictly the best in the country in Steph and Millie [Bright] has given me an opportunity to see the standard and to push myself on further to reach it.”
