England Captain Leah Williamson signed a new contract with the Gunners on May 27 to extend her 19-year association with the club.
Lionesses Captain Leah Williamson Signs New Contract With Arsenal
Making A Mark With Arsenal
Leah Williamson, now 27, originally joined Arsenal’s academy as a child. In 2014, she made her debut at 17 years old and has played for the team ever since. Director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said: “Leah’s connection with Arsenal runs so deep – I can remember her as a girl in our academy many years ago.”
Read more: Arsenal Set To Discuss Hale End Graduate’s Future In Coming Weeks
Williamson is vice-captain next to long-serving Gunner Kim Little. The centre-back has made 232 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals throughout her career. Williamson has collected seven trophies with her parent club, winning one WSL title, two FA Cups, and four Conti Cups.
From the Euros To ACL Recovery
Williamson captained the Lionesses to victory at the Euros in 2022, bringing football home to England for the first time since 1966. In April 2023, she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) away against Manchester United.
Williamson’s ACL injury took her out of football for the next nine months as she made her recovery.
Read more: ‘Magnificent’ Premier League Player Named In Provisional Spain Squad For Euro 2024
She missed being part of the England squad that reached the Women’s World Cup final in the summer of 2023. She went on to miss an extended period of the domestic 2023/24 season.
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall said of Williamson: “Leah is an essential part of our team so we’re delighted she has signed a new contract with us. She brings us so much on and off the pitch – leadership, accountability and commitment.”
This Season For Williamson
Williamson made her return to domestic and international football in February of this year, and proceeded to make nine appearances for the Gunners.
This year, the 27-year-old helped Arsenal to claim the Conti Cup, beating Chelsea in March’s final. Her new deal follows her previous extension back in 2022.
Read more: Arsenal Midfielder Gets Euro 2024 Call-Up
Arsenal have not released details on the length of Williamson’s new contract, but the team have described it to BBC Sports as a ‘multiple-year’ deal.
Williamson described the side as: ‘[A] place where I can still continue to grow, develop and be challenged. As a group, we’re all very focused on bringing more silverware to this club and I can’t wait to get started again when the new season comes around.”
