There are myriad ways to announce oneself to a new club. And if Grace Clinton’s announcement on Sunday in Bristol City’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Coventry City is anything to go by, the Robins are certainly in for something special.
On loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder put pen to paper for her loan spell on Saturday but needed little time to demonstrate the boon her arrival presents to manager Lauren Smith’s attacking ranks.
Originally named as a substitute in Sunday’s Championship clash against Coventry, Clinton came off the bench in the 63rd minute to mark her debut for her new club.
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And with seven minutes of injury time remaining as City lagged 2-1, Clinton flicked on the equaliser in the 93rd minute from Aimee Palmer’s free-kick before Abi Harrison grabbed the game-winner in the 96th minute to culminate a thrilling finale for Bristol City's return to Championship action.
The dramatic victory fired Bristol City to the top of the Championship table over title-rivals London City but also served as something of a warning upon the Championship’s return that Bristol City’s bid for promotion has not lost any steam over the winter break.
Clinton’s loan announcement on Saturday certainly suggested as much. The highly-rated 19-year-old has represented England throughout youth level and arrived in the West Country on the back of a three-year deal with the Red Devils following an impressive breakthrough season with girlhood club Everton during the 2020/21 campaign, in which Clinton made 14 appearances as a 16-year-old.
Clinton was touted as a thrilling and creative player that would bring a new dimension of ingenuity to Smith’s side, attributes that she boasted loudly on Sunday.
Clinton pointed to the club's aspirations for promotion to the top-flight as a key component in her decision making to join City for the season’s remainder.
“The ambition of the club was the main draw for me, to be honest,” she told Bristol City’s website. “Speaking to Lauren (Smith), she was a big part in my decision because of her ambition, the way she talks and how keen she was. I knew it was the right move for me and I couldn’t wait to get started.
On Clinton’s loan, Smith said: “Grace is an exciting, young player who will feed off the players and quality we already have within our attacking options.
“Looking at how we play as well, I think it’ll really benefit her development, and bringing her in can hopefully benefit us in terms of her added quality.”
City return to action on 18 January with a FA WSL group stage match against Lewes before welcome promotion rivals London City Lionesses for a league clash on 22 January.
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