Lauren Hemp believes she can form a strong parternship with new Manchester City team-mate Vivianne Miedema and admitted she has looked up to the Netherlands star for a long time.
Miedema joined City on a free transfer from Arsenal earlier this month and will come up against her former side in the first game of the Women's Super League season, with City travelling to the Emirates on September 22.
Hemp, who recently signed a contract that will keep her at City until 2027, says she is excited to link up with the WSL's record goalscorer and believes she make an instant impact for her new club.
'I've met a her lot and come up against her on the pitch a lot of times,' Hemp said. 'We've actually exchanged shirts as well, after I've played against Holland, so I see us as friends already!
'But hopefully that relationship will get even stronger going into the season. I think she'll be a great addition to the team. She’s a player who can do it all and who I’ve looked up to for a long time.
Lauren Hemp has backed Vivianne Miedema to make an instant impact at Manchester City
'Obviously, we've got a fellow Dutchie in [Manchester City midfielder] Jill Roord, who unfortunately tore her ACL, but she's been a very pivotal player in our squad, so hopefully Viv will be able to do the same.'
City were narrowly beaten to the WSL title by Chelsea on the final day, with Gareth Taylor's side losing out on goal difference.
City have not won the league since 2017 but Hemp says she and her team-mates are more determined then ever to end that wait for silverware next season.
'I'm really excited. Coming so close but not quite doing it, I think that makes you more hungry to go on and succeed in the future, and I want to do that this season. I desperately wanted to do it last season, but unfortunately it didn't go that way.
'The fixture list has just come out, so I'm really excited, and obviously we've got a big game [away at Arsenal] at the first game in the season which should be a good one. I'm really excited and I think we've got a great squad to go on to achieve good things.'
Hemp was speaking at a KP Snacks event at Cheetham Hill, the site of one of 100 all-weather community cricket pitches they will install across England and Wales by 2025.
The 23-year-old, who played cricket at junior level for Norfolk Women and still has a real love for the sport, is part of the 'Everyone In' campaign, which aims to make cricket more accessible to all.
'I grew up playing cricket every summer and had to make a tough choice to pursue professional football or cricket when I was 16,' Hemp said.
Manchester City signed Netherlands international Vivianne Miedema on a three-year contract
'I have always loved this sport, so it’s amazing that KP Snacks is helping thousands of families access cricket pitches and removing the barriers to entry.'
Hemp is currently enjoying a well earned break after helping England secure qualification for Euro 2025 last week. The Lionesses, who were victorious on home soil in 2022, will be looking to retain their crown in Switzerland next summer.
'We're pretty confident,' Hemp said. 'I think we're all in a good place. I think it's hard especially at the end of the season to pick up pick up where we left off, we've done the main aim and qualified for next summer, which is exciting.
'Obviously there's gonna be a target on our backs going into the Euros, being reigning champions, but I know that the group that we've got and the talent that we've got within it and the young ones coming up through the system as well that we're gonna go on and have a great squad and hopefully retain that.'
KP Snacks, the Official Team Partner of The Hundred, is continuing its initiative to build 100 new community cricket pitches across England and Wales, with 35 brand new pitches going down in 2024. To find out more and search for your nearest pitch, visit: www.everyonein.co.uk/pitchfinder