Denise O'Sullivan agrees new deal to stay at North Carolina Courage

Denise O'Sulivan has agreed a fresh two-year deal with North Carolina Courage, ending speculation she could move to Manchester United.

The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland star had been linked with a move to the Women's Super League as her most recent contract with the Courage wound down. It was due to expire this November, at the end of the NWSL season.

United were rumoured to be among the clubs seriously interested in the Corkwoman, however O'Sullivan will not be moving on, with the Courage confirming on Monday that she had signed a new two-year contract extension up to the end of the 2026 campaign.

She moved to the Courage from Houston Dash in 2017 and has been a hugely influential figure ever since. O'Sullivan - given the captain's armband last year - has led the club to seven NWSL trophies during her eight seasons in North Carolina.

She was key to the team win the NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019 with three straight NWSL Shields from 2017 through 2019 and a pair of NWSL Challenge Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, while also helping the Courage claim the inaugural ICC Championship in 2018.

"I’m delighted and honoured to extend my time with the North Carolina Courage," she said.

"When I joined seven years ago, I had no idea how big an impact this club would have on me as a player and a person. The Courage prioritises playing a beautiful style of football that suits me well and holds everyone to incredibly high standards while creating a family environment that allows for healthy growth.

"The opportunity to serve as captain of this club has been one of the great joys of my professional life, and I am excited to stay and help teach the next wave of players what it means to be a member of the Courage. We’ve had a lot of great