England defender Alex Greenwood has signed a three-year contract extension at Manchester Metropolis, describing the membership as her “house”.
Greenwood, who was as a result of be out of contract in the summertime, has made 80 appearances since arriving from Olympique Lyonnais in 2020.
Upon signing for Metropolis, Greenwood grew to become solely the second participant in historical past to cross the derby divide in each Manchester and Liverpool, an honour she shares with former ahead Peter Beardsley.
The 29-year-old is among the most skilled gamers amongst Gareth Taylor’s squad, having additionally performed her half within the Lionesses triumph at Euro 2022 in July.
“It is house for me,” Greenwood completely advised Sky Sports activities from the boardroom at Metropolis’s Academy Stadium, after posing for photographs. “It is felt like house because the minute I arrived. For me, it was a straightforward determination to remain.
“Typically issues entertain you, generally they do not. I’ve had actually good experiences in my profession and that is one I actually needed to proceed. I like being right here and I like this membership.
“The ambition of the membership meets mine. I nonetheless suppose there’s a lot extra we will ship and obtain. I wish to be part of that. There are trophies to be gained, that I might prefer to win as a Man Metropolis participant.
“That is someplace I get pleasure from coming each day. Soccer transitions on a regular basis however the squad that we have now could be actually wholesome and actually optimistic. We will actually stay up for the long run with some thrilling gamers right here. We’re in a extremely good place proper now.”
Alex Greenwood (proper) featured within the Euro 2022 remaining alongside Chloe Kelly and Lucy Bronze
Head coach Gareth Taylor added: “It is nice information. This was a extremely vital re-sign for us. Alex embodies what Metropolis are about – actually in my time right here. Though there have been some ups and downs, some squad rotation, Alex has all the time been there as a relentless.
“She’s actually tailored properly to taking part in centre-half and has established herself as one of many perfect within the recreation [in that position]. That is an thrilling second and a extremely good second for the membership. I am delighted we will transfer ahead collectively.
“Alex is nice at giving the best phrase on the proper second. She helps the youthful gamers on the membership by instructing them how one can be skilled. She’s been round success and performed with massive gamers, in massive moments.
“We have labored collectively rather well and seen massive enhancements from Alex. I am fairly sure that she’s received much more to return – she’s coming into her prime. For us to have her for the following three years is unbelievable information.”
Evaluation: Reliable Greenwood integral to Metropolis success
Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:
“Consistency is what Manchester Metropolis want. They crave it. Gareth Taylor has described the summer season interval as one among ‘rotation’. In reality it was one among full renovation. The squad was overhauled fairly dramatically, though not essentially willingly.
“Alex Greenwood, nonetheless, represents stability and regularity. She’s been a relentless and one which Metropolis now look to for management and route.
“Whereas the squad has been transitioning, Greenwood’s function has shifted alongside it. She’s morphed from a full-back into among the finest left-sided centre-backs within the league. “I am obsessive about soccer,” she admitted in an interview with the Guardian earlier this yr, revealing how she research and analyses the sport in an try and consistently refine her place inside it.
“Greenwood’s dedication could be a very powerful little bit of winter enterprise Metropolis do. As soon as once more, they’ve been renascent this time period, after an unsteady begin, shedding each their opening WSL video games. A ten-game unbeaten stretch has adopted and Greenwood herself represents the rock amongst these outcomes. She’s a protected pair of palms – one among their most senior, most skilled gamers.
“She’s had probably the most touches and accomplished probably the most passes per 90 minutes of any Metropolis participant this season. Her supply from set-pieces can also be an enormous weapon. However most vital is her capacity to dictate from deep. When Metropolis are on prime and taking part in properly, you possibly can guess that Greenwood is on the coronary heart of it.”
