Women’s football

LEAH WILLIAMSON has signed a contract extension with Arsenal for another year.The life-long Gunners fans revealed she can’t wait to continue her fairy-tale adventure with the club she joined aged nine.
Williamson signed a new one year contract extension with the GunnersCredit: PA
Now 24, Williamson believes its her duty to repay the Gunners for the faith they’ve have had in her for all these years.
She said: “I’ve signed because I’ve always said that this is my club. I say it’s a fairy-tale that I’m still here.
“And I think that I owe the club as well for everything they’ve given to me, and it’s time for me to give back to them.”
The highly decorated England ace has made 165 appearances for the Gunners and won trophies including the Women’s Super League title in 2019.
But that isn’t enough for Williamson who wants to bring more silverware to the club in future.
She added: “I have won trophies and we’ve continued to compete for trophies, that’s really important to me.”
The Gunners head of women’s football, Clare Wheatley also shared her delight at Williamson’s decision to stay put.
Wheatley said: “It’s clear to everyone how much Leah loves the club and she embodies everything that we stand for on and off the pitch.
The 24-year-old wants the win more trophies with the North London giantsCredit: Getty

“We are delighted that she’s signed another contract with us, she believes in our ambitions and she’s obviously a very important part of the team.
“And It’s a big boost for everyone – fans, team-mates and staff.”
The Team GB ace’s dreams of more trophies could come true next season with the Gunners making some important signings this summer.
They’ve already brought in Mana Iwabuchi who spent last season with Aston Villa.
And it’s reported that the North London giants have also snagged goal machine Nikita Parris from Lyon.
The defender said she’s repaying the club’s faith in her by signing the new dealCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
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NIKITA PARRIS is reportedly heading back to the Women’s Super League next season after agreeing personal terms with Arsenal.Reports say it’s already a done deal and will be finalised once the 27-year completes her medical.
Parris is reportedly on her way out of Lyon and en route to ArsenalCredit: Getty
Both player and club are wasting no time according to Sky Sports, who also claim that she’s already in the country to do just that.
Parris is allegedly excited to return to the league where she made her name, after a successful stint with Lyon, scoring 19 goals in 30 appearances.
She left the WSL as the all-time top scorer with 49 goals in 2017, only to be surpassed by new Gunners team-mate Vivianne Miedema, who hit 50 last year.
Dutch master Miedema achieved the feat in 50 games compared to Parris’ 110 games for both City and Everton.
It had been reported that the pair were involved in a swap deal between Arsenal and Lyon earlier this month.
But these claims were quickly shut down by Miedema’s agent Leoni Blokhuis, who was adamant she’ll be in North London next term.
Blokhuis said: “Vivianne will remain, as it looks now, at Arsenal next season. That is her last contract year.”
It’s claimed that Parris is already in England to complete her medicalCredit: Rex Features

Liverpool native Parris joins Mana Iwabuchi as the Gunners other latest signing going into the new campaign.
Iwabuchi has already given fans a glimpse of what to expect next season when she scored a wonder-volley for Japan last week.
With Miedema, Parris and Iwabuchi terrorising defences, it could see Arsenal mount a serious WSL title challenge following their third placed finish last season.
The alleged deal comes weeks after Parris was linked to a swap deal with MiedemaCredit: Getty
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EMMA HAYES has wished Jamie-Lee Napier good luck for the future after Chelsea ended her contract.The Blues decided to call time on the 21-year old’s Kingsmeadow career following her loan stint with Birmingham City last season.
Hayes has wished Napier good luck after Chelsea ended her contractCredit: Getty
Napier has been released following her loan stint with Birmingham last seasonCredit: Getty
Napier played 19 times for Brum last season and helped them stay in the Women’s Super League, but the Blues decided to not to bring her back to the club.
Hayes’ implied that the reason why they chose not to extend the Scottish midfielder’s contract was because it’s doubtful she’ll get much playing time.
Which is the reason why the prodigy was initially sent out on loan.
But the Blues boss is still a keen admirer of Napier and believes she has a bright future – albeit not with Chelsea.
She said: “Jamie’s a young player and will continue to improve with regular game time.
“She has a bright future ahead and we wish her all the best in her next chapter.”
Since the news was announced yesterday, Napier is yet to address her departure and it’s not known where’ll she be playing next season.
The ex-Scottish Player of the Year joined the West London side in 2019 in a move which she said was a dream come true.
Hayes doesn’t reckon there’s space in the first-team for NapierCredit: PA
Napier said it was a dream come true when she signed for Chelsea

But she ended up playing just three times in her debut Chelsea campaign.
The WSL champions shipped her out to Birmingham for the following term where she became a regular starter under ex-boss Carla Ward.
Napier was also part of the Brum squad who vented their frustration at the club’s board over poor working conditions.
Chelsea’s decision to get rid of Napier comes amidst a busy transfer period for the club.
They’ve already bolstered their defence with the signing of Aniek Nouwen from PSV Eindhoven.
And it’s rumoured the Champions League finalist have their sights set on Lyon defender Sakina Karchaoui.
Hayes’ side have also been linked with Manchester United striker Lauren James as they aim to strengthen their WSL hold and pursue European glory again.
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ASHLEIGH PLUMPTRE is ready to swap her England shirt for a Nigerian one if given the chance in future.Despite being born in Leicester, the ex-Lionesses youth star is eligible to play for the Super Eagles due to her dad’s Nigerian descent.
Plumptre is ready to ditch her English roots to play for NigeriaCredit: Getty
And although she’s earned 30 English caps, the Foxes ace admits she’d make the switch in a flash.
While speaking to BBC Sport Africa, the 23-year-old said: “The idea of me being able to play for Nigeria.
“With that being an option, I would happily grab that with both hands.”
The former LA Galaxy star has become fascinated with the Nigerian culture since getting to know her family heritage.
But Plumptre admits that she’s got a long way to go on her journey of fully understanding the African country’s way of life.
She added: “What representing something that really means to somebody is very important.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of things I can openly say that I don’t know about Nigerian culture.
“But I want to learn because I know that it’s in me, and it’s in my sister and in my dad.
“We can only get it from my granddad, he’s the only thing that we know in terms of Nigeria.
The defender is eligble to play for the Eagles despite earning 30 Lionesses Youth capsCredit: Getty

“I’ve obviously visited Nigerian relatives in America and in England.
“Seeing this little journey my sister and I have been on, and the understanding of our family heritage.
“Not just that but watching Nigerian documentaries and learning about the past is incredible.”
And Plumptre would like to inspire other stars with similar backgrounds to do the same one day.
She said: “I think with football being my platform, I am using that as something that’s bigger than me.
“As much as I can resonate with my Nigerian heritage.
“I feel like I can hopefully inspire someone like my sister or other kids like her maybe in this country or other countries to look at me and be like you know what?
“It doesn’t matter what your skin tone looks like.”
But until her dream is realised Plumptre is focused on helping the Foxes keep their WSL status next seasonCredit: Alamy
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JOE MONTEMURRO has been named as the new Juventus Women boss after his Arsenal exit last month.The former Gunners boss was unveiled by the Serie A giants as the new man in charge today.
Montemurro has been named Juve Women’s new boss
The 51-year-old will take charge at the Italian champions on July 1.
In a club statement, Juve said: “It’s official, Joe Montemurro has joined Juventus Women as their new head coach.
“In what marks the beginning of what will certainly be an interesting and exciting journey together.”
Montemurro’s appointment comes following the news of Rita Guarino’s decision to leave the Italian champions after four years at the helm.
She won the league four times consecutively during her tenure, leaving Montemurro with some big shoes to fill.
But the Australian, of Italian descent, is no stranger to silverware himself after leading the Gunners to a League Cup in 2017 and the WSL trophy in 2019.
He had initially been linked with the role last month but didn’t confirm or deny Juve’s interest.
Montemurro’s new role will come as a surprise to some Gunners fans after he declared he was taking some time off when he left the club.

He said: “I need to work on my tan a little bit, I need to get some sun somewhere, but I’m going to take a break.
“I’m going to be honest with you, it’s been a cycle of nine years in which I haven’t really stopped.
“Just to not think about football a while is going to be really nice but really strange. It’s something I need. To refresh and reboot.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners still remain manager-less ahead of next season.
But they are taking the search for Montemurro’s successor seriously and have recruited director Edu to help find his replacement.
There’s also the possibility the former Melbourne coach could face his old team Europe next season after he guided the Gunners to a Champions League spot in the previous WSL campaign.
The 52-year old left the Gunners at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
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