Arsenal and England defender Leah Williamson has signed a brand new contract with the Gunners.
Williamson initially joined the membership 19 years in the past and went on to make 232 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 15 targets.
She is Arsenal’s vice-captain alongside Kim Little and has received the WSL title, 4 Conti Cups and two FA Cups with the Gunners.
“Everybody is aware of what Arsenal means to me, however I feel each time I signal a brand new contract I really feel the love is rekindled,” she stated. official web site of the membership.
“I am very completely satisfied to remain – it is a spot the place I can nonetheless develop, develop and tackle challenges. As a gaggle, we’re all very centered on bringing extra silverware to this membership and I am unable to wait to get began once more when the brand new season”.
Williamson returned from an ACL harm in February, lacking a big a part of the 2023/24 marketing campaign. The harm noticed the England captain miss the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup, the place the Lionesses completed as runners-up.
She beforehand led her nation to victory at Euro 2022, adopted by the primary girls’s ultimate a number of months later.
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eideval added: “Leigh is a vital a part of our squad and we’re delighted that she has signed a brand new contract with us. She brings a lot to us on and off the pitch – management, accountability and dedication .
Leah Williamson returned after a nine-month hiatus in February
“Leah has a particular reference to Arsenal and I look ahead to working collectively additional to carry extra success to this nice membership.”
Director of Ladies’s Soccer Claire Wheatley stated: “Leah’s reference to Arsenal is so deep – I keep in mind her as a woman in our academy years in the past and I’m so happy with the decided, passionate lady she has turn into.
“We’re delighted that Leah has signed a brand new deal right here and I do know our followers will be part of me in congratulating me right now.”
Evaluation: Williamson backed by Arsenal after tough spell
Leah Williamson helped Arsenal win the Conti Cup this season
Sky Sports activities’ Charlotte Marsh:
“Leah Williamson is Ms Arsenal. It is arduous to think about her ever enjoying for one more membership and she or he’s staying together with her beloved Gunners for the foreseeable future at the least.
“That is assist from the membership following a tough interval for the defender following an ACL harm sustained in April 2023.
“It was a giant blow for Arsenal and England. Each groups needed to adapt with out their predominant centre-back, whereas the Lionesses performed on the World Cup with out their captain.
“There have additionally been setbacks since her return – she needed to pull out of England’s February camp attributable to harm – however there was success within the Conti Cup with Arsenal, through which Williamson began alongside Lotte Vouben-Moy.
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Highlights from Arsenal’s ultimate WSL sport of the season towards Brighton
“Her fellow England defender has been good in Arsenal’s again line, stepping up in Williamson’s absence. It is an thrilling prospect to see them play alongside one another regularly subsequent season.
“And that is what the main focus is on proper now – looking forward to the 12 months forward after an up and down 2023/24 marketing campaign.
“Williamson follows Stina Blackstenius in penning a brand new deal as Arsenal look to seal new offers with their key gamers at the beginning of the summer time.
“Questions will stay about any signings so as to add to the squad, particularly with the departure of Vivian Miedema. Arsenal are 5 factors adrift of Chelsea and Man Metropolis and can want one thing to maintain them from falling too far behind.
“Who or what that could be stays to be seen and the switch window is lengthy. However for now, Arsenal want to hold their present crop.”