Kiko Seike was a relative unknown to Brighton fans when she walked out in their club colours for the first time on Saturday – but that has quickly changed.
Debuts do not come much better than they did for Seike, who scored a stunning hat-trick as Brighton thrashed Everton 4-0 at Broadfield Stadium.
It was the perfect start to their new Women’s Super League campaign and a first showing of new manager Dario Vidosic’s set-up.
Among the big names to make their debuts were England internationals Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, as well as Spain forward Bruna Vilamala.
But it was Japan forward Seike who stole the show, scoring a brilliant long-range chip, a diving header and a thunderous strike to seal her hat-trick.
“She was fantastic,” said boss Vidosic. “It’s something we worked on, trying to get her in good positions and use her ability to score goals.
“She was a threat all afternoon. I was yelling to her on the last goal to make the pass [to Kirby] but it was a good thing she didn’t listen and found the top corner instead.
“She’s been great ever since she came in and for all her hard work, she got her reward. Hopefully there is many more of those.”
Seagulls profit from Seike-Kirby link-up
Seike’s hat-trick, as well as a goal from fellow debutant Kirby from the penalty spot, capped off an enjoyable afternoon in Crawley.
Fans were on their feet applauding when her third goal flew into the corner and the 28-year-old was lifted into the air by team-mate Jorelyn Carabali.
Seike, who became the first player in WSL history to score a hat-trick on her debut in the competition, celebrated with Brighton’s players at full-time after realising she could keep the match ball when handed it by the officials.
“She’s a fantastic player and you could see when she first came in what type of player she is,” said Kirby, who left Chelsea in the summer. “She is direct, wants to get into the box and wants to score goals.
“You need those players if you are going to score goals in this league. We’re really happy to have her and I’m delighted for her.
“You can see her qualities from a mile away and it’s fantastic to play with.”
Seike had a strong relationship with Kirby down Brighton’s right-hand side and it’s an area Vidosic hopes her side will exploit more in the future.
“If you don’t shoot, you don’t score,” added Kirby. “It’s not always going to come off, but today everything she hit went into the corner.
“When she’s running one-v-one, I’m lucky. I can just give it to her and she will do something with it. If she keeps scoring goals like that, I’m sure everyone will be very happy with her.”