Dayton Dutch Lions FC forward joining the 2013 Benelux Champion and Champions League participant this weekend
Dayton, February 4 2014 - Dayton Dutch Lions FC and Wright State University forward Emilie Fillion has signed a pro contract with Dutch Premier League club FC Twente. She will fly this Friday to Holland and join the team for the majority of the 2nd half of the season. The them is currently in 2nd place behind Standard Liege (Belgium) looking to repeat last years' success to win the Championship. Emilie received All-League honors in 2013 and also got National recognition when her bicycle kick was in ESPN's top 10 for several weeks
Technical Director Sid van Druenen and Emilie's Coach in 2013 had this to say on the transfer:
“Having Emilie signing a professional contract with our partner club FC Twente is great not just for Emilie but also for the club and our women’s program. Playing for the Dayton Dutch Lions FC (W-team) will give players the opportunity to develop towards the dream of playing professional soccer and I am sure Emilie will do well in European professional soccer. She is a very determined and strong player with the ability to decide games not only by scoring decisive goals but also with a tremendous work rate and team spirit. I wish her the best of luck!”
Emilie Fillion is originally from Canada and played for several National Youth Teams up to U16. She moved to Dayton to study and play for Wright Sate University. She also played for the Dayton Dutch Lions FC W-team in 2012 and 2013 leading the team to the first ever Conference Championship in 2013. Emilie Fillion commented herself on her next step:
"I am really excited to have the opportunity to go to Holland and play for one of the best clubs out there. I am hoping the things I have learned while playing here will help me bring something exra to the team. I am very lucky to join such a quality organization and their high standards for excellence can only make me better."
You can see an interview with Emilie Fillion on the transfer to FC Twente here on DL TV.
President Mike Mossel was also thrilled:
"This is exactly what we set out to accomplish when we started the Dayton Dutch Lions FC four years ago: give players a chance to become professional players, either in the USA or (even better) in Europe. And FC Twente is not just a team, Emilie will soon find out that this is one of the top organizations in Europe when it comes to soccer. Their Women's program is very well structured and marketed. Due to her determination and scoring ability I am sure she will contribute to the team and do very well like she did for us. I am really excited for her and wish her all the best".
FC Twente is a Dutch professional soccer club that plays in the city of Enschede. The Men's team plays in the Premier League and won the National Championship in 2010 and the Dutch KNVB CUP in 2011. They are currently in the top three. The Women's team won the Championship of the Benelux League (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) in 2013 after beating Standard Liege at home. The highlights of that game can be viewed here.
Head Coach Arjen Veurink of FC Twente had this to say about the signing of Emilie: “Signing Emilie is good for the dynamics in the team. She brings experience from another country that can benefit us. With her attacking qualities she will contribute to the team, also bringing extra competition which will be good as well".
De Grolsch Veste where the FC Twente Women's team plays their games
Emilie Fillion against Charlotte Eagles