Kenni Thompson Impressing At Bournemouth
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Kenni Thompson has made a positive impact on and off the pitch for AFC Bournemouth Women since joining the club, according to the team’s manager Steve Cuss.
The Bermuda women’s national team winger signed for AFC Bournemouth Women from top-flight Spanish side Eibar last month and has scored three goals in as many matches.
She scored on her debut against Swindon Town Ladies in the FA Women’s National League Division One South West before netting against Southampton Women reserves in the Hampshire Cup.
Thompson, the daughter of Kenny Thompson, the Bermuda men’s national team assistant coach, also struck against Exeter City in the league.
“We know Kenni’s talents as a football player, and we were hoping she would be able to hit the ground running,” Cuss told afcb.co.uk.
“It’s a big ask when you move from slightly warmer parts of the world to a UK winter. Trying to deal with that, trying to deal with the rigours of playing competitive football.
“She hasn’t played much competitive football, so she’s hit the ground well and settled in off the pitch nicely with the group and is an important member of the squad.
“On the pitch, she has been exceptional. Three games, three goals, has been a real threat in the attacking areas and an exciting player to watch.”
Cuss believes there is plenty more to come from Thompson, who previously played for Espanyol and Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain and the London City Lionesses in England, and has offered the team another attacking dimension.
“She left home in Bermuda very young as a teenager to go and pursue a football career, so she is used to moving around, is very independent and strong in that,” he said.
“But she’s part of the team now, and I have seen her gel really well with the squad, which is another pleasing factor that we have that environment where new players can come in and settle quickly with the squad.
“I am really pleased that has happened. I think that helps. If you are happy off the pitch and settled in well with your new team-mates, you get the best out of a player on the pitch.
“In the three games we have seen Kenni, there have been some special moments and good attacking play from her – scoring goals and creating goals, which is a big part of her game.”
Thompson did not get the opportunity to continue her scoring form today [February 11], with her team’s league encounter against Torquay United Women postponed.
