Liverpool have handed Ireland defender Niamh Fahey a massive pre-World Cup boost.
Fahey, who turns 36 in October, has landed a brand new contract extension, keeping her at the club next season.
The Galway native missed most of the final two months of last season through injury, but recovered in time to make the starting-11 against Aston Villa and Manchester United.
And she was drafted into Vera Pauw’s 31-strong pre-World Cup training camp squad.
The veteran defender, with 106 caps to her name, can now look forward to a sixth season with her childhood team.
She told LiverpoolFC.com: “It was an easy decision and I’m delighted to extend my contract at this fantastic club – I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
“I’m already massively excited for next season. I’ve been here five years, seen a lot of changes, but the position we’re in now as a club is really exciting and the future looks really, really bright.
“I’m delighted to be a part of it and keep pushing the club higher up the table.”
Fahey captained the Reds back to the Women’s Super League in 2022, when they won the Championship title.
She made 15 appearances in the top-flight, despite her injury, as Liverpool finished seventh in their first season back.
Fahey said: “It was a good year and we showed we’re definitely able to compete against the top sides.
“The WSL is where you want to be and it’s where we should be. Now it’s about pushing forward and getting us as high up there as possible.”
First up, however, is the matter of a first ever World Cup campaign for Ireland.
“It’s a big summer ahead for the Girls in Green, our first ever major finals down in Australia and New Zealand,” said Fahey.
“It’s an historic moment and hopefully I’ll be part of that final squad heading there.”
Manager Matt Beard hailed the Ireland international, saying: “Niamh’s a fantastic person, a fantastic leader, and her performance levels on the pitch have stayed consistently high for club and country.
“She’s our captain and we’re delighted she’s decided to extend her contract.
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