Papamoa football export Rebekah Stott's career in the game has reached new heights with a deal to play for a top-flight club in Norway.

The six-year veteran Football Fern, who is currently on duty with the national team in New Caledonia, has signed with Avaldsnes, one of Norway's traditionally strong women's clubs.

She will begin her career there in time for pre-season training next year, along with fellow Football Fern, goalkeeper Victoria Esson.

It's a welcome opportunity to see a new part of the world, and put her professional career on a firmer footing, says Rebekah, now one of New Zealand's most experienced players with over 60 international appearances under her belt.

"I'm excited to go to Europe and start a new chapter in my career," she says.

"I love all the culture in Europe, and it's always better going to a place so far away from home with a friend so it's great that Vic is going to be there as well."

For the well-travelled Stott, who grew up playing on the football fields of Tauranga then moved across the Tasman, making her age-group international debut for Australia before returning to play at senior level for the country of her birth, Avaldsnes is the latest stop on a challenging journey to establish a professional career in the game.

She's already played professionally in three different countries - for Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in Australia, and SC Sand in Germany, before stints with Seattle Reign and Sky Blue FC of New Jersey in the United States.

Her spell in Seattle playing in the American National Women's Soccer League came to an abrupt end in January this year when she was traded to Sky Blue. Until signing for the Norwegian club she had been alternating seasons in the US and Australia to earn a living playing the game, highlighting the difficulty for women establishing professional careers. So she's relieved to have the chance to settle in one country.

"I know they usually do very well in the league and most years they play in the Champions League as well. And the place looks pretty cool so I'm excited about living there," the 25-year-old defender says.

Rebekah is in action for New Zealand in their OFC Women's Nations Cup campaign, which takes place in New Caledonia until December 1. The Football Ferns are competing in Group B and earned a big 11-0 victory in their opening match against Tonga on Monday.

They're set to face the Cook Islands in their second game tonight from 7pm.

The winner of the tournament qualifies for both the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games.