Arsenal Women academy duo Freya Godfrey and goalkeeper Naomi Williams have signed professional terms with the club, while Michelle Agyemang has committed to sign a professional contract with the club when she turns 18 in February. In the WSL, players have to be 18 before they can sign on a pro contract.
Godfrey spent part of last season on loan at Ipswich Town and made two sub appearances in the WSL for Arsenal in May, while goalkeeper Naomi Williams has been rewarded with a professional contract having now turned 18. Williams was on the bench for three of Arsenal’s Champions League group games last season.
Meanwhile, highly rated forward Michelle Agyemang has committed to sign a professional deal with the club when she turns 18 in February. Agyemang scored her first goal for the first team in the FA Cup tie against Leeds in January and made five substitute appearances for the first team last season.
Agyemang has been at the club since she was six, Godfrey since she was 12 and Williams since she was 13. Agyemang told Arsenal.com, “This club is like a family to me, so it’s really exciting to be committing to this club and I can’t wait for what the future holds. This is my childhood club and I’m really grateful for the opportunities I have had.”
What a moment for the youngster. Michelle Agyemang makes it 8-0 pic.twitter.com/J3opKV1LIS
— AWFCLIPS (@awfclips) January 29, 2023
Godfrey said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s incredible to be offered the opportunity and I just hope I can make it count. We’ve seen players come through the academy to the first team so we know what it takes and how hard you have to work.”
Williams said: “It feels amazing to have grown up at this club and to have gone through the different levels. Since I first signed for the club as an academy player, the feeling of family and togetherness is always there. Pushing yourself to the next level – that’s what Arsenal means to me.”
Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We’re delighted that Michelle, Freya and Naomi have all put pen to paper on professional terms with us. We’re proud of the number of players that have come through our academy system over the years and gone on to have successful careers at Arsenal and elsewhere in the game. With hard work, consistency and dedication, this group now has the opportunity to shape their future and emulate some of the players who have gone from the youth system to wearing the red and white at senior level.”
This is excellent news. Since I’ve been regularly following AWFC its been a constant source of frustration to see real talent (Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Ruby Mace et al) snapped up by our rivals for nowt when they reached 18.
Perhaps offering contracts to these talented youngsters heralds a new approach and a few more “of our own”
can follow Leah and Lotte into the first team.
Yep. It’s the best we can do until the rules are changed to allow us to sign players at 16, certainly.
Since she was six! Awwww. I hope there are photos of little Michelle in her Arsenal kit.
This is great news – well done to Naomi Williams, Freya Godfrey and Michelle Agyemang. And well done to the club for acting to secure them.
Tidy tricks & finish that!