Arsenal centre-half Leah Williamson has signed a new contract with the club, ending speculation over her future. The Gunners defender, who joined the club at the age of 9, was subject to plenty of interest from top clubs in Germany and France (she has always said she could not play for another English club) but has decided to commit her future to her childhood club.
Leah’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season having last extended in the spring of 2018 but has inked new terms for the next 12 months. Her decision to sign is a huge relief for supporters who have come to identify the life long Arsenal fan with the red and white.
Aged just 24, Leah has won a league title, two FA Cups, two Conti Cups and has over 150 appearances for the club, she was also a ball girl the day Arsenal won the Champions League in 2007. Williamson told Arsenal.com, “I’ve signed because I’ve always said that this is my club,“ Leah said. “I say it’s a fairytale that I’m still here, I have won trophies and we’ve continued to compete for trophies, that’s really important to me and I think that I owe the club as well for everything they’ve given to me, and it’s time for me to give back to them.”
Clare Wheatley, head of women’s football, added: “It’s clear to everyone how much Leah loves the club and she embodies everything that we stand for on and off the pitch. We are delighted that she’s signed another contract with us, she believes in our ambitions and she’s obviously a very important part of the team and It’s a big boost for everyone – fans, team-mates and staff.”
Really don’t know how realistic it was that she wouldn’t sign, but this is still great, great news!
Any news about DvD? Is she really more likely to leave than stay?
Was told firmly she would be leaving in April and I haven’t heard anything otherwise since.
I hope DVD can be persuaded to stay! Also, and even more importantly we need to get Viv’s contract extended asap
Ball playing CB with Arsenal DNA running thru her veins. This is fantastic news and I’m hoping they find a proper manager to take over.
Hey Tim, you mentioned the deal is long term but Leah tweeted happy to be here for one more year.. is it a one year deal or more than that?
Do we know the length of the deal her social media posts suggests is just a year?!
It is one year, yes. Apologies, drafted this story a little while ago!
Maah man!
She already has a legacy at Arsenal. Let’s hope we don’t need to discuss that until she hangs up her boots to retire still as a Gunner!
Perfect demonstration of how the Academy system can work with the right talent and degree of trust from the management to provide the opportunity to play.
Awww man, this is good news😊😊😊😊
Thank fuck for that! 😓
I don’t know about long term. Everything I read from Leah sounds a lot like one last chance for club to get their shit together. If we fail next year or if players feel like club isn’t investing in women’s team properly, we won’t have team left after next summer.
Spot on Eelleen I get the sense that a number of players are just prepared to give it one more season. Lets hope the new manager whoever it is can get the team back to champions form.