Chloe Mustaki continues to push herself to the limit

Chloe Mustaki has never been afraid to back herself.

Eighteen months ago - having overcome Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and then battled back to fitness after a nightmare ACL injury - she was emboldened to seize the day, take a chance and follow her dreams.

And that's what she did. In July 2022 Mustaki parked the day job, moved to Bristol City from Shelbourne and completely committed herself to the game.

It was a move of conviction and one that was hardly without risk. Mustaki had been playing part-time and working in the financial services industry. Taking the plunge with Bristol saw her income reduced significantly.

But that decision has been vindicated, with Mustaki now playing in the Women's Super League and gifted with the memories of travelling to a World Cup with the Republic of Ireland.

She may not have seen as much international game time as she’d have liked, but the wing-back remains a squad regular; a calm, sensible and respected figure in the dressing room.

"The difference in level, the difference in movement of the opposition forward line, you can’t really compare it to the Championship," she says of life in the English top flight with the Robins.

"But it’s great, you know. It’s where I want to be, and I’ll just have to bide my time, get the opportunities when they come, take them and just keep working hard and hopefully get more minutes throughout the season.

"Previously, like a year and a half ago, I was still working, so to go from that to the WSL in a year and half, it's such a short amount of time, and I was injured for half of last season as well.

"So it’s been a bit of a bumpy road for me to say the least but I definitely think I'm able for the WSL. Do I have more to learn and lots more to go? Of course. Hopefully I’ll