Arsenal are set to renew the contract of defender Leah Williamson.
The England captain’s deal was going to expire at the end of the season but, sources briefed on the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, indicated the north London side are due to secure her signature for further years to come.
The Athletic reported in January that the club were holding positive discussions regarding Williamson’s future.
Williamson, 29, has been hampered with injury this season, missing the first half of the campaign with a knee injury sustained during the 2025 European Championship.
The Arsenal vice-captain lifted the Champions League trophy with captain Kim Little last season and has one Women’s Super League title, four League Cups, two FA Cups and one FIFA Women’s Champions Cup to her name during her 12 years in the Arsenal first team.
Williamson is one of a number of members of the Arsenal squad whose contract had been due to expire at the end of the season. The Athletic reported on Monday that Manchester City are strongly pursuing Beth Mead and Katie McCabe, whose terms are both up this summer.
On Tuesday Arsenal announced the extension of defender Steph Catley’s contract, while striker Stina Blackstenius renewed her deal last week and Little has signed for an additional year.
Williamson played her first 90 minutes in the Women’s Super League in January but has struggled to play consecutive full 90-minute games for her club this season due to minor niggles.
On Sunday, however, Williamson started in Arsenal’s crucial 2-1 Champions League semi-final first leg win against OL Lyonnes, alongside Lotte Wubben-Moy at centre-back. Regaining fitness at this pivotal time of the year could prove decisive for Arsenal’s league and European campaigns as Renee Slegers’ side try to regain ground on Manchester City and defend their Champions League title.
Williamson’s ties with Arsenal are deep-rooted having joined the club’s youth set-up aged nine, 21 years ago. It is hard to see Arsenal without Williamson and vice versa given the indelible connection. By staying, she evidently feels she can continue to develop and challenge for the biggest titles.
In Williamson, Arsenal are keeping one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the women’s game which suits her club’s possession-dominant playing style.