Now the [Albion](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/) and Serbia midfielder is fired up to play a senior role for a side aiming to follow-up their best-ever season in the WSL.
Cankovic is likely to start in midfield with captain Maisie Symonds as the Seagulls face Manchester City at the Joie Stadium on Friday (7.30pm, Sky Sports).
City are one of the top four Albion are looking to challenge this term having come a best-ever fifth last season.
Cankovic knows about life among the big guns having joined the club from Chelsea, where she spent two seasons.
She accepts she can add know-how to a squad which lost several experienced players after last season.
But she laughs when reminded of a post she made on social media as she turned 30 last month.
It was along the line of 20s being for training, 30s being the game itself.
A little bit self-deprecating given she ended her 20s with 47 international caps, two WSL titles, a Women’s FA Cup and domestic honours in Sweden, Hungary, Spain and Serbia.
But that way of looking forward sets the right tone for a new season and, indeed, decade.
“I just feel good,” she told The Argus.
“It was also just a joke, but that's how I feel. I feel good and just excited for the new season.
“Obviously it's also for me like with the age but also with the experience.
“Age is just a number but it's about how long do you play on a certain level and that's what brings the experience.
“I have a lot of a lot of experience and that's what I'm trying to bring also to this team.”
Asked whether there was also a message of looking to really kick on now, Cankovic – who exudes youthful energy in midfield – said: “Exactly! And that's how I feel.
“But that's how I feel every year and every season. Every season there is an opportunity to grow and to be better.”
Cankovic ended last season on a high with a stunning volley against Arsenal to claim goal of the season honours.
Vicky Losada was the obvious midfield departure over the summer in terms of leadership and Cankovic has started this season alongside the new skipper in 22-year-old Symonds.
“Obviously it's a big, big next step for her as a player, but also as a person to be a captain,” Cankovic said.
“She needs to step up and I think she's ready for that role.
“As a person, obviously, Maisie is Maisie, so I don't think anything changed.
“But I think it's nice to see her developing as a leader also in the group, and I think she can do that well.
“And I guess we'll see this year how she's going to progress in that, but she's for sure ready for it.”
Symonds has a bubbly character but also a determination which has seen her overcome a few hurdles.
“She's just super friendly,” Cankovic added.
“And, if we speak about outside football, she's just a super kind person.
“She is who she is and like nothing changes with that.
“Obviously the captaincy and outside of the pitch brings other responsibilities.
“She's just ready for it.”
Cankovic also speaks about what she too can add in terms of leadership.
She is part of a leadership group, as are Fran Kirby and Marisa Olislagers.
Head coach Dario Vidosic said: “Maisie might wear the armband but we want to have as many leaders as we possibly can.”
City and champions Chelsea opened the WSL season last Friday night with a game which the latter won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
But City certainly had their moments in a period late in the first half.
With European champions Arsenal also involved, newly-arrived London City showing big ambition and Manchester United and Everton off to flying starts, the league is looking tougher than ever.
Cankovic agrees with that suggestion but will relish the challenge.
She said: “I think there's so much quality, like every team has a lot of international players, a lot of Lionesses also and just a lot of talent.
“I think the league is as competitive as it gets compared to previous years.
“It's just exciting to play in this league.
“I'm happy to be part of this team and we can challenge in WSL.
“I think that this year, hopefully, we can do even better than last year.”