Arsenal’s Australian forward Caitlin Foord has extended her contract with the club. The Australian international joined from Portland Thorns in January 2020 and her previous deal was set to expire this summer.
Foord has since been joined at the club by international teammates Steph Catley and Lydia Williams. Despite the departure of her compatriot Joe Montemurro last summer, Foord has impressed new boss Jonas Eidevall and forced her way into the team in the second half of the season.
Caitlin’s was a target for other clubs in the January transfer window but their advances were firmly rebuffed by Arsenal, indicating they always saw the Matildas stalwart, who passed 100 caps for her country recently, as part of their future plans. Juventus and Manchester United made offers too.
The 27-year-old told Arsenal.com, “It feels amazing. Since I joined this club, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with being here. I think I mentioned in one of my early interviews that I had lost my way in football a bit, but since being here I’ve absolutely fallen in love and found myself again.
“We’ve been inching towards winning lots of silverware and that’s definitely going to be the plan for next year. We want to win multiple trophies and I think with the squad, the team, the players and the support we have, we have the squad to be able to do it.”
Head Coach Jonas Eidevall added: “Caitlin is a top player and an integral part of what we’re building here. Her contribution in both attack and defence are crucial to our game, so we’re delighted that she has signed a new contract. This is an ambitious club and Caitlin is central to that.”
Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We’re all very pleased that Caitlin will be staying with us. She is a wonderful footballer in her peak years, so she is exactly the kind of player we want to keep at this club. We look forward to seeing Caitlin in action for Arsenal in the years to come.”
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CatlIN Foord
This is excellent news, another player re-signed.
It’s party time at Arsenal now – could even say it’s a Foord Fiesta!
Surely you mean “It’s work meeting time”? 😉
Really played well second half of the season. Glad Arsenal managed to keep the best players together for next season. Maybe some added depth signings in case of injuries to key players would still be nice though
Great news & really pleased to hear how committed and enthusiastic she is about the club 🙂 She made a deceptively big impact to the cause last season.
Compared to her performances at the start of the season, she was like a new signing in the second half. I wonder if she was carrying an injury at one point? Or was it a matter of confidence? Anyway, based on her recent performances I’m glad she stayed, and hope she keeps getting better!
she was injured in September, I reckon.
Loved Caitlin last season, absolutely delighted she’s joined the new contract gang, we’d definitely have made a mistake in letting her go & it probably also means Wally signs for longer eventually too depending on how long she’s got left on her current deal. Any news on potential incomings/outgoings Tim? Seen a lot of links of Parris to Spurs, wouldn’t be upset if she went(only when she inevitably scores against us) as I just don’t think she fits the system
Very Happy about this.
She is a baller.
Scores goals and assists as well. Very Cognizant and Unselfish Player.
Arsenal are lucky to have her.
Great news. We really needed her to re-sign. I think we will push on next season now with all the key players staying 👍😊
Terrific stuff! Congratulations to Caitlin and well done to the club.
CF has indeed rediscovered her football mojo. Delighted to be retaining one f the hardest working and most intelligent footballers in the squad – and that is saying something!