Arsenal’s Lia Wälti ends transfer speculation with contract extension

Arsenal have announced that influential midfielder Lia Wälti has signed a contract extension with the club.

The 30-year-old’s current contract expired in the summer and there were fears that she could leave the club but the Switzerland captain has instead decided to remain. Arsenal have not disclosed the length of Wälti’s contract, but it is understood to be a multi-year deal.

Wälti, who was a late omission from Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat of Brighton on Wednesday night due to illness, joined the Gunners in 2018 on a one-year deal and recommitted to the club the following year. She has made 128 appearances and helped them to the Women’s Super League title in 2019 and the Continental League Cup this season.

“It’s special moment for me to commit my future to Arsenal and I’m very happy and excited,” said Wälti. “Arsenal means so much to me – it felt like home from the moment I joined and over the years I’ve built such strong bonds with this club and the community around it. This is an exciting time to be a part of Arsenal and I want to keep making new memories with this group.”

Wälti has become a staple of Arsenal’s midfield, shielding the defence and forming formidable partnerships with Kim Little and Frida Maanum.

“She is one of the best midfielders in world football and brings us so much in terms of leadership and presence,” said Arsenal’s manager, Jonas Eidevall. “Lia has played a pivotal role within this team during my time here and I’m looking forward to continuing to work together to achieve our goals.”

Sign up to Moving the Goalposts

Informative, passionate, entertaining. Sign up to our weekly round-up of women’s football now.

after newsletter promotion

At international level Wälti has made more than 100 appearances for