Tottenham Hotspur defender Shelina Zadorsky has further extended her stay at the WSL club by signing a new contract until the end of the 2021/22 season – plus an option of an extra 12 months.
Zadorsky, who has often captained Spurs in recent months, initially arrived on loan from Orlando Pride last summer. That move was then made permanent in January but still on a short-term deal.
The 28-year-old Canada international was among a number of players at NWSL clubs to trade the United States for England last year while the American league was somewhat in turmoil owing to the cancellation of the 2020 season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.For many, joining WSL clubs was a chance to play football that was otherwise lost.
It was expected that once NWSL was up and running again in 2021 – the new regular season is due to begin on 15 May after the Challenge Cup mini-tournament ends – most who had moved to England on short-term deals might leave again.
There have already been strong rumours that player of the season nominee Sam Mewis will go back to North Carolina Courage. Her Manchester City and USWNT colleague Rose Lavelle could also return stateside, albeit for different reasons after failing to find her feet in England, but Zadorsky’s decision to sign a new deal with Spurs gives hope that not everyone will instantly head back.
Abby Dahlkemper’s multi-year deal with City was always a longer term commitment than just this season, but Jess Fishlock has been on loan at Reading from OL Reign, while Manchester United fans will be hoping that Tobin Heath and Christen Press stay beyond their respective one-year contracts.
“I think we’ve created a really cool culture and it is exciting to see where we are heading,” Zadorsky told Spurs’ official website. “The quality of this league is top tier and just playing week in, week out against some of the best opposition as well. For me as an individual it is testing me every week.”
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Source : 90min