Banyana Banyana forward Ode Fulutudilu says France feels like home following her switch from Scotland’s Glasgow City to FC Fleury 91.
The 32-year-old joined the French club on a one-year deal after parting ways with Glasgow City in July 2022, citing that the style of play in the Scottish Women’s Premier League [SWPL] did not suit her.
Fulutudilu is expected to be an important member of her new side, having hit the ground running already.
She has played four games for Fleury thus far, starting two and coming on as a substitute in the other two games.
However, the frontwoman stated that, just like any other player, it takes some time to adapt to a new team, but things are looking good so far.
FULUTUDILU ON HOW SHE IS SETTLING IN AT FLEURY
She says France is proving to be an easy country to settle in because there are more black people, and doesn’t feel like she is in a foreign country.
“I’m settling in very well. The very interesting thing about France is that there are so many black people here, so sometimes it doesn’t feel like I’m in a European country,” she told FARPost.
“The previous teams I have been with, it was like I was only the African girl which has made things a little bit difficult in terms of understanding as you come from a different culture.”
She continued: “Here in France, I feel like home because we have about five African players, and there are so many other Africans in the surrounding areas, which has made it much easier for me to settle in well.”
On her performances after missing out on her new club’s pre-season camp, Fulutudilu said: “I missed the beginning of pre-season like a week or so and have been catching up. When the season started, the coach has been slowly integrating me into playing time. I went on like the few minutes against PSG in the first game and a game after that, and went on to start other two games.”
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