Arsenal captain Kim Little signs new one-year contract
Arsenal captain Kim Little has signed a new one-year deal with the club. The 35-year-old’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season but the north London side were keen to retain the midfielder’s services, such is her influence on and off the pitch. Since joining the club from Hibernian aged 17 in 2008, scouted by former manager Vic Akers and playing alongside Arsenal greats including Kelly Smith, Faye White and Alex Scott, the former Scotland international has amassed 405 appearances,
Arsenal captain Kim Little has signed a new one-year deal with the club. The 35-year-old’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season but the north London side were keen to retain the midfielder’s services, such is her influence on and off the pitch. Since joining the club from Hibernian aged 17 in 2008, scouted by former manager Vic Akers and playing alongside Arsenal greats including Kelly Smith, Faye White and Alex Scott, the former Scotland international has amassed 405 appearances, scoring 177 goals across two spells in north London.
In that time she has won every domestic and European trophy possible, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, five league titles, three FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Community Shield. Little has featured 27 times in all competitions for Arsenal this season, scoring twice, and has started 13 of her side’s 16 matches in the Women’s Super League. Little remains among world’s best midfielders Little was one of several Arsenal players including Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, Beth Mead, and Manuela Zinsberger, whose deals are coming to an end this summer and securing her signature for another 12 months is an astute move.
Arsenal are aware that Little cannot play forever and a succession plan is underway. As The Athletic reported in January , discussions continue to progress well with Williamson, while McCabe’s future at the club remains in doubt with a new contract yet to be offered. Mariona Caldentey and Kyra Cooney-Cross have had their options triggered, keeping them at the club until 2027.
In January The Athleti c reported Arsenal are leading the race to sign Georgia Stanway following confirmation she will leave Bayern Munich this summer and are in talks with Barcelona full-back Ona Batlle. Despite reaching the latter stages of her career, Little, who turns 36 in June, is still one of the best midfielders in the world, reading the game like very few can. The fact that she has maintained such a level and fitness throughout the last 10 years plus is remarkable.