The 31-year-old defender, who has UEFA Women's Champions League experience with Celtic Women, as well as captaining the Glasgow side and her former club, Coventry United Women, is the eighth new signing for Becky Langley's squad this summer.

Speaking to nufc.co.uk after putting pen to paper on a move to Tyneside, Bartle said that her decision to transfer to the Magpies was about more than just what goes on between the white lines of a football pitch.

"One thing that Su (Cumming, Director of Women's Football) said that really sat with me was the fact that the attempt to go full-time wasn't all about Newcastle Women," she explained. "It was the fact that hoping it paves the way.

"She said it was that hopefully, it spurs other teams on to make that jump and to build women's football.

"The way she put that across, I thought 'that's fantastic' and it's not all just about you. You're wanting to make a positive change for women's football overall and that's amazing."

Bartle also said that Newcastle's upward trajectory was attractive to her, and she hopes she can contribute to further success for the Magpies.

"I think it is a huge moment, to be honest," she added. "Regardless of what level they are playing at, Newcastle is a huge club and I know it's going to be a privilege to be putting on that shirt every weekend. It's a really exciting opportunity and something I'm massively looking forward to getting started.

"I think it's a bit of a no-brainer because of lots of different reasons; the size of the club, the ambition of the club, the goals. The thirst for success.

"My ambitions and winning mentality fit in line with everything that Becky has said. The club and I go together really well. Hopefully, both of the ambitions and mindsets go together really well and we can succeed."

The defender says she is not afraid of putting in a challenge and hopes that her energy can help spur on her new team-mates.

"I am a self-proclaimed no-nonsense defender," she said. "I like big tackles and hopefully will bring the aggression on the pitch and hopefully everyone feeds off that passion and desire that I try to bring game after game.

"I have a lot of experience in football and the last four years of professional playing will hopefully help the girls and the club get to where we want to be."

Looking ahead to the 2023/24 season and beyond, Bartle is not shy of outlining ambitious targets.

"I want this season to be the most successful Newcastle have ever had," she declared. "Then we can build on it year after year.

"(Beyond this season,) it's just building women's football in the North East. I know we have Sunderland, I know we have Durham, but it's another club to give these young girls the opportunity to know that when they start playing football they have the ambition, they have the possibility to go and play full-time.

"Being a part of that legacy is really exciting for me."

See Jodie Bartle in action when Newcastle United Women play West Bromwich Albion Women at St. James' Park on Saturday, 5th August as part of the two-day Sela Cup, presented by VisitMalta. Buy tickets here.