Ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star Vicky Losada says she is ready for a new challenge in Italy following her "crazy" exit from Man City before the transfer deadline.
Losada, 31, joined Roma after an injury-hit 18 months at the Academy Stadium, but says a fresh start is needed despite happy memories from her time in Manchester. In a busy few weeks, the Spanish playmaker has switched the WSL for Serie A and is now set for a reunion with the club she previously captained to European glory - Barcelona - in the last eight of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Initially signing a deal until June 2023, the midfielder's move brought her second spell in the WSL to an end, having previously spent two seasons at Arsenal. And despite admitting she left with a heavy heart, Losada admitted she was ready for a new challenge.
“I’m very happy to be here," said Losada. “It has been a crazy few weeks. When the move happens so quick it is hard to stop that craziness.
“But now I’m really happy to have joined Roma. The team is amazing and the city is so beautiful.
“I really enjoyed my time at Man City and I think it is a great club. I also know that I was unlucky with injuries which didn’t help.
“Last year I really enjoyed being part of that team and playing with such a competitive group of girls. It is a different situation this year with plenty of young players who are still learning, but it is a really good team.
“I would have loved to have had more minutes on the pitch, but because of my injuries it was for the best. I knew that I had to make a decision for my best. I needed another objective and a new challenge for my career, for my body and my future.
“Sadly this meant leaving England, everyone knows I loved playing there."
Her affection for her temporary home was perhaps demonstrated by the fact that once Spain exited Euro 2022 last summer, there was no doubt who Losada was rooting for.
"In the last Euros, once Spain had been knocked out (by England in the quarter-finals) I was a little Lioness supporter. After the girls won the trophy, the women’s game has changed massively in England.
"It is so nice to see so many more little girls and boys coming to watch WSL games, the culture around the game and the education on the game has changed massively throughout English society.
Although Losada's move came as something of a surprise, the midfielder returned to Manchester after the deal was done to say a final goodbye to her teammates.
Losada added: "It has been a really intense year-and-a-half and I made good friends and good memories with the girls. Sometimes in football when things aren’t going well, that is when you have to stick together even more.
"That created even more of a connection between us, so even though I have left, those girls know they always have a house in Barcelona, if ever they miss the sun and want to come in the summer.
"After doing my medical in Roma for two days I went back to Manchester to say goodbye to them properly. We are footballers, but we are also people and I’ve had so many good relationships there."
Losada, who has been capped 65 times by Spain, could have been quickly reunited with WSL sides Arsenal or Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, after Roma qualified from Group B behind Wolfsburg. But the draw has instead sent her back to Barcelona, the club she made her name at and skippered to a Champions League title in 2021.
"When I signed for Man City, one of the main objectives was the Champions League," Losada explained. "It is the best competition in Europe and I’m so excited to be back in the tournament. It is special, you can feel it in the air.
"I know the girls at Barcelona really well. The girls here would have preferred one of the English teams, but I am just looking forward to playing again in such a special competition."
Switching from the harsh English winter to the technical style of Italy's Serie A Femminile mid-season would be a tough challenge for most players, even for one of Losada's experience. But she is confident adapting to Roma's style of play, under manager Alessandro Spugna, won't take long.
"Alessandro is helping me so much," she said. "We have a really brave team which I love and the environment suits me. It is a really lively team, everyone is happy and there’s lots of music. I think I have picked well and even though I’ve only been here just over a week I’m very happy.
“I understand Italian but I’m back in the situation of not being able to speak much. I try English but the girls don’t really understand me! But I think the team is really good, we try to play stylish football which I like.
“I just need some time and patience, but if I work hard then good things will follow, 100 per cent."
Vicky Losada was speaking as part of her work with American Pistachio Growers. Pistachios are a convenient snack, with a high antioxidant capacity, that make up a complete protein. They are also portable and don’t require any preparation. Vicky incorporates pistachios into her training diet to fuel her active lifestyle, and to help refuel and recover before and after a match.
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