Bristol Rovers Women are delighted to announce the signing of Peruvian international Emily Arévalo, who joins from Bristol City U21s.
What were your motivations for joining the club, and how have you found the culture and community so far?
"I think the biggest motivator this season is fighting for a top spot and pushing for promotion. I know last season was a bit challenging, but Rovers were up there, and I’m hopeful that this year we can aim even higher and finish in an even better position."
On a personal level, what are your goals for the season? What are you fighting for yourself?
"I really want to get as many minutes as possible, hopefully score a few goals—who knows! But mainly, I’d love to earn a starting spot and do whatever I can to help the team reach our goals."
How have you found Nathan and the staff so far? And are you familiar with many of the girls?
"I don’t know too many of the girls just yet, but I do know a few who used to play here, and they’ve only ever said great things about Rovers—the players, the staff, the atmosphere. Nathan and the coaching team have been brilliant, really welcoming, and have made me feel comfortable from the start. It’s a really encouraging environment, and I’m excited to get going."
Drawing on your experience at City and as a Peruvian international, how do you think that background will help you here at Rovers?
"Playing at City and in the WSL Academy was definitely fast-paced and competitive. I remember playing against Rovers once—it was a great match. I hope to bring that same level of competitiveness here, especially in training, because I think that intensity can carry over into matches and really push the team forward."
And how has your experience been with Peru? What’s it like representing your country, and what are you looking forward to?
"Playing for Peru has been such an honour. It comes with a lot of pressure—there are big expectations and lots of eyes on you—but it’s helped me learn how to handle that. I’ve had some amazing experiences with the national team, and I hope I can bring that confidence and experience into my performances here at Rovers. I'm really looking forward to the season ahead."
Manager Nathan Hallett-Young on new signing Emily Arévalo, who joins from Bristol City U21s:
"We’re so excited to have Emily on board—she’s a really exciting signing for us. She brings a great blend of experience and potential, having come through Bristol City's professional academy system and also having represented Peru at international level. That kind of background adds real value to our squad, both in terms of technical ability and mentality.
She’s another player with genuine quality, and I think she’ll be a fantastic addition to our midfield. She’s comfortable on the ball, reads the game well, and has that calmness under pressure that we really value. We’re hoping she can hit the ground running and start making an impact straight away.
The thing that stands out about both of our recent additions—not just Emily—is that they add physical presence and real quality in key areas of the pitch. It gives us more depth and balance as we prepare for what’s going to be a competitive season. We’re excited to see how she settles in and grows within the group."
