Unfinished business is at the front of Rebekah Stott's mind as she returns to Women's Super League club Brighton & Hove Albion, having left England in 2020 when diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Stott, who impressed for Melbourne City this past A-League Women's season, had made just eight appearances for Albion before being diagnosed with the disease and returned to Australia for chemotherapy.
But after being in remission for more than a year, the 29-year-old has penned a two-year deal to return to Brighton where she'll look to help the side build on a seventh-placed finish last WSL campaign.
"I can't wait to get started with the girls, and I really feel like I've got some unfinished business," Stott said.
"It was definitely the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life, a lot of ups and a lot of downs, probably more downs.
"But I had a lot of support and I got through it and here I am now a year later and I'm healthy again.
"It's always hard to leave home but I'm stoked to be back here in Brighton."
Brighton coach Hope Powell acknowledged the emotional significance of the signing, but stressed Stott was also a huge boost to the side via her elite skill.
"The circumstances around Stotty's departure in 2020 were really difficult for everyone, no one more so than for her," she said.
"She had only been with us for a short period of time, but was already a popular member of the squad before she headed back to Australia for treatment.
"Taking the emotions out of the signing, we know we're getting a really good player with proven international experience and a knowledge of the league."
Stott made 13 appearances for City in her return season, earning a recall to the New Zealand national team.
