Manchester City today announced they had agreed a deal with captain Steph Houghton to sign a new contract until the end of the 2017 FA WSL season.
Houghton signed for City from Arsenal back in January 2014, joining Jill Scott, Toni Duggan and Karen Bardsley as the club’s first marquee signings after their introduction into the WSL.
City finished the season in 5th position, 7 points behind champions Liverpool, but did find themselves victorious in the FA WSL Continental Cup trophy final against Houghton’s old club.
2015 has so far proved disappointing for both Houghton and Manchester City, with the Sky Blues having managed only 5 points from 5 matches so far. Houghton has only made 2 starts in all competitions for her side as she continues her recovery from a knee injury.
Despite this, the defender is clearly well settled in Manchester and has pledged her future to the club. Speaking to the official City website today she said of her new contract: “I’m extremely delighted. It was always in my mind that I wanted to be here for longer and I’m so happy to have put pen to paper on a new deal.
“I feel so at home at Manchester City. I know I’ve developed as a player over the last 16 months and as a team, we’ve got a really good philosophy and really good people who all want to play a part in helping the club to become the best it can be.”
The news comes on the same day Houghton touched down with her England teammates in Canada as they prepare for the forthcoming Women’s World Cup.
She added: “It’s been nice to get things sorted before I go. My mind is now fully focused on England.
“Hopefully I’ll have a good performance over there with the girls. I’m going to go out and enjoy every single moment now I know I’m committed to City for an extra year.”
Manchester City boss Nick Cushing was also quick to voice his joy at the news. “We’re ecstatic Steph has decided to sign a new contract with us and commit her future here. We see the real value she offers – not only on the pitch but off it as well.
“When you get the opportunity to extend the stay of someone like Steph – our captain, our leader and a player of unbelievable quality – it’s obviously something we want to do.”
