Arsenal defender Catley signs new contract

Steph Catley won Australia's PFA Women's Footballer of the Year award in 2020, 2024 and 2025 [Getty Images] Arsenal defender Steph Catley has signed a new contract with the Women's Super League club. The 32-year-old Australian joined Arsenal from Melbourne City in July 2020 and has made 165 appearances, scoring four goals. BBC Sport understands she has signed a two-year deal.

Catley helped the Gunners lift their first Women's Champions League title in 18 years last season, starting all five of the club's knockout matches and playing a key role in the 1-0 win over Barcelona in the final. She has also won two League Cups and the Fifa Champions Cup during her six years in north London, and was nominated for the Ballon d'Or following a strong 2024-25 campaign. Catley made her senior debut for Australia aged 18 in 2012 and has won 123 caps for the Matildas, scoring five goals.

Arsenal are fourth in the WSL table and host Leicester City on Wednesday, followed by the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at Lyon on Saturday. The Gunners hold a 2-1 advantage after coming from behind to beat the French side at Emirates Stadium in the first leg on Sunday. Arsenal 'on a mission' - is another special season on the horizon?

[BBC] Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page