Ava Kuyken signs for Argyle
Argyle Women have signed midfielder Ava Kuyken.
Kuyken joins from Reading, who competed in the FA Women's Championship last season, and played alongside recent addition Lulu Jarvis.
Ava, 23, started her career with Women’s Super League side Arsenal, where she was a part of the 2018/19 title-winning side, playing 11 times that campaign. Following the completion of her A-Levels, Kuyken made the switch across the Atlantic Ocean, taking up a scholarship with NCAA Division 1 side Florida Gators.
Following her two-year spell stateside, spells with Bristol City and Hibernian furthered Kuyken’s development, before she joined Reading for the 2023/24 campaign. However, an ACL injury curtailed her season before it started, and she did not appear for the Royals.
The midfielder is now looking for a bounce-back year amongst familiar faces in green.
“I’m excited to get started,” Kuyken said. “I think it’s a club with ambition so I’m excited to be part of that journey, grow with the team and see where it can go.
“My experiences [in football] were all quite different and forced me to develop my game differently. Moving away from home at a young age forces you to grow up a little bit and they’ve all been different experiences which have helped me become the player and person that I am.”
Making the change to play college football in America, however, was one that Kuyken looks back on fondly.
“I was at Arsenal when I committed [to Florida],” she said. “Back then, I think, women’s football wasn’t quite where it is now.
“I wanted to get a degree alongside playing football rather than just focusing on the sport, so I had something to fall back on. I made a great decision though and don’t regret doing it.”
When looking ahead to the upcoming FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division season, Kuyken hopes to finish as high as possible in the league table with Argyle.
“I think for the team, we want to finish as high up as we can,” Kuyken told Argyle TV. “I think there’s transition this year but we’re spending pre-season getting to know each other and, hopefully, we can finish as high up as possible.
“I want to get as many minutes as I can, coming off the back of the injury, to get momentum and confidence back and enjoy playing.”
Argyle Women’s Head Coach Ryan Perks said: “Ava is an outstanding player with top-tier women's football experience. She adds quality and composure to the squad, and we are thrilled to have her on board.”
The deal is subject to league approval.
