Llandough's very own Sophie Ingle has been named in Team GB's football team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

The Welsh Captain has no qualms about flying the GB flag in Japan as the sole Welsh football representative and believes the experience could benefit her nation in the long run.

She has been confirmed by the British Olympic Association as one of 18 players who will go for gold at the Olympic Games this summer after being selected by Norwegian coach Hege Riise.

Ingle was previously named in the preliminary Team GB squad for London 2012 before missing out on selection as they reached the quarter-finals in their only ever Olympic appearance.

And despite having none of her countrywomen to keep her company, the Chelsea star hopes the opportunity will boost Wales' qualification hopes like it did the men's team.

"Honestly, it still doesn't feel real," said Ingle. "Even when I got the email originally, I read it a few times actually before I even letting my family know that the email said I was going to Tokyo.

"The chance to put Wales on the map at a major tournament like this is amazing and seeing the guys do it back in 2012, I think inspired them four years later to qualify [for Euro 2016] and compete at a major tournament for the first time which was amazing.

"I've said previously that hopefully this experience this summer for me, personally, I can then bring back that experience for Wales and hopefully we can go one better next qualification.

"I'm gutted I won't get to share this experience with another Welsh teammate or a few Welsh teammates, but I know they are really proud I'm going to be there representing them."

Ingle will be joined by Chelsea teammates Fran Kirby and Millie Bright in Tokyo, fresh off the back of their final-day Women's Super League triumph this month.

The Blues then went down 4-0 to Barcelona in the Champions League final but Ingle says she's relishing the prospect of turning her attention to Team GB this summer.

When asked about her memories of the Olympics, she added: "I just remember watching all the different sports and as a kid I liked to play every sport, it wasn't just football, I loved athletics in school and just watching the range of sports.

"I liked hearing the different backgrounds of where these athletes had come from and how they got to where they are today, but more so in 2012 when it was in London.

"I was in Cardiff at the time, so I went to watch a few of the Team GB games at the Millennium Stadium at the time in Wales which was amazing.

"At the time I was playing against some of those girls as well and it was just an amazing atmosphere to be a part of and to watch that team and now I'm involved.

"I definitely didn't imagine myself in a Team GB shirt. I'm still shocked to be honest that I'm in the squad, there's so many good players to choose from but maybe I should back myself more.

"I honestly didn't think I'd be in this squad but I'm going to grab this opportunity with both hands and give everything I can for the team and hopefully we go on to win gold."

The midfielder was instrumental in a successful season for her club, helping Chelsea win the Women's Super League before reaching the UEFA Champions League final for the first time.

But while she has enjoyed plenty of success during her career, Ingle said the feeling of being selected for the first time never changes - whether it's for Chelsea, Wales or now, Team GB.

"It's a similar feeling. I'd say every first step of getting picked for a team, whether it's signing for Wales, getting picked for Chelsea, being picked for Team GB," she added.

"I think they are all massive achievements, and they all feel very similar. I couldn't really pick one or the other, obviously Wales was many years ago that I had my first call up.

"I'm just really proud really that I can now represent Great Britain."

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