‘A home away from home’
Shaw points to comfort after extending Man City contract
Published:Wednesday | May 31, 2023 | 1:25 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
CITING THE growth of her game and the comfort she feels in Manchester, national striker Khadija Shaw reaffirmed her commitment to Manchester City, putting pen to paper on a two-year extension with the club.
The deal was announced yesterday as Shaw, who had one year left on her contract, was rewarded for a 2022-23 campaign in which she made individual milestones, with the club, securing her until 2026.
While it was a trophyless season for Manchester City this season, finishing fourth in the FA Women’s Super League table, Shaw made a massive step from her debut 2021-22 campaign, scoring 22 league goals, two goals shy of golden boot winner Rachel Daly of Aston Villa.
Shaw says that the welcome that she felt upon her arrival and the growth that she displayed during her two years at the club was the factor in her committing herself to the club’s future.
“Everyone made me feel welcome from the first day I came here. I enjoy the way we play and I’m at a stage now where I understand the way we play and I can only get better and grow.
“I think here at City is the perfect place for me. I put all my effort and time on the pitch and obviously for the position I play and the quality I have around me, I know I’m going to be in positions to score goals,” Shaw told the club website.
“I’ve always said Manchester feels like a home away from home too. I enjoy coming into the City ground every day and training with the group, vibing with the girls and I also have family here, so Manchester has felt like home ever since I arrived. “
City head coach Gareth Taylor is pleased by how much Shaw’s game has elevated since being at the club, justifying the decision to sign her and believes that she is poised to take her game to even greater heights.
“Bunny’s growth and development as a player over the past two years, but particularly this season, has been fantastic and we’re thrilled to see her extend her contract with us,” Taylor said.
“She is still a young player though, who wants to improve and is hungry for success, and we’re only scratching the surface with her which is a very exciting prospect as we aim to develop her even further over the next three years.”
Shaw finished as the club’s player of the season and also won the goal of the year at the club’s recent end-of-season awards and became the first Caribbean player to win Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year.