Arsenal defender Jen Beattie has extended her contract with the club. The 32-year-old, who originally joined the club as a teenager before spells at Montpellier and Manchester City before rejoining in 2019, has extended her contract.
Beattie extended her contract last summer and undertook a mentoring role with Arsenal’s academy players alongside her playing duties. The Scottish centre-half initially played a squad role in the team but as the injuries piled up, Jen became a regular starter at the heart of a back three, scoring a goal in the UWCL semi-final against Wolfsburg.
In total, Jen has made 157 appearances for the club, scoring 32 goals and she was recently awarded an MBE for services to football and charity, not least the charity work she has done since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.
JENNIFER BEATTIE LEVELS IT FOR ARSENAL 💥#UWCL LIVE NOW ⬇️
🇬🇧 https://t.co/KODI5SW6Zn
🇩🇪 https://t.co/sRzmGRnESd pic.twitter.com/UWTWcCbaWJ— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 1, 2023
“I’m so happy to have signed a new contract,” said Jen. “I’m happy here. I love the club. I love the group of people I work with – the players, the staff, everybody behind the team. The way the club has progressed over the last few seasons has been great to see and it was amazing to lift a trophy again last season and achieve that level of success as a team. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together next year.”
Head Coach Jonas Eidevall added: “Jen is a model professional and I am delighted that she will continue to be part of our squad next season. Her contribution on and off the pitch last year was outstanding – she stepped up time and again when called upon and set an example for others to follow. I’m proud to coach her and I know our supporters will join me in celebrating the news that Jen will remain an Arsenal player next year.”
Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “Jen has been a fantastic servant to Arsenal and brings us so much in terms of experience and character. She made a really important contribution to the team on the pitch last season and we are all very pleased to say she will continue to represent this club next year.”
Ah excellent news. As Jonas said, so important to setting that positive culture in the team. A real credit to the club.
It’ such a fantastic change in the way our club is conducting it’s business. Early transfers and contract extensions to the left and right! Both for the men and woman! Great times to be Gooner!
Nice one Jen!
She proved her worth last season and now Jonas understands how to set the team to play to her strengths it’s great that she is to continue as a member of the squad.
Amazing woman, very happy to see she has renewed. When we needed her, she stepped up – and then some!
Jen Beattie – legend!
So pleased for Jen…..and us!
Not sure if coaching/team management is on the horizon for Jen.
I could see her as our future Head of Women’s Football .
She was immense in the Semi Final against Wolfsburg. Great to see her extend.