Gunners captain Kim Little signs new deal with Arsenal 17 years on from joining women’s top-flight giants

KIM LITTLE hopes to savour more special moments with Arsenal after extending her contract with the club. The new deal will see the veteran Gunners skipper continue her career with their WSL side until at least June 2026. It follows the club exercising their option to extend her contract. Little, 34, who is set to face Tottenham in the WSL North London derby this Sunday, said: "I’m delighted to extend my contract and play another year with Arsenal.

"It’s quite unique to play for a club for the length of time I have, and I don’t take that for granted. "That time brings many special moments, and I look forward to making a few more of them.". Little, who began her senior playing career with Scottish Women’s Premier League outfit Hibernian, joined the Gunners at 17 in 2008. The former Scotland playmaker, regarded as one of the best players of her generation, has gone on to become the team’s third highest appearance maker.

Her silverware wins with the club includes six league titles, three FA Cups and six Women’s League Cups. The player, who was awarded an MBE for services to football in 2023, has made 363 appearances for the team. Gunners women’s football director Clare Wheatley said: "Kim is one of the very best – as a player and as our captain. "She continues to help drive us forward and set standards on and off the pitch.

"We value Kim’s contribution immensely, and I know our supporters will be thrilled that Kim’s Arsenal journey is continuing.". Little, who has scored 174 times for Arsenal, began her football journey playing for a primary school boys’ team in Mintlaw, the village where she grew up in Aberdeenshire. Her senior club career includes her first Gunners stint from 2008 to 2013 before two seasons with US side Seattle reign and a one-term loan spell at Australian outfit Melbourne City.

After rejoining Arsenal in 2017, Little went on to help them win their fifth League Cup in March 2018. This followed the midfielder recovering from a knee ligament rupture sustained in May the year before. In 2018-19 Little played 11 times in the top tier for the Arsenal side that won the WSL title under their former gaffer Joe Montemurro. At present their chances of a title win this term look slim with the team fourth and ten points behind league leaders Chelsea.

However the Gunners are eager to add more trophies to their collection having reached the quarter-final stages of the Champions League and the FA Cup. And head coach Renee Slegers insists Little has a significant role to play in Arsenal’s push for more silverware. The Gunners boss said: "Kim is a wonderful footballer and captain and has an important part to play in the goals we want to achieve. "I’ve learned so much from working with Kim and I'm looking forward to that continuing as we aim to win trophies together.".