Hemp agrees City extension | OneFootball

Lauren Hemp has signed a new three-year contract extension with Manchester City, penning a deal that will see her stay at the Joie Stadium until 2027.

The 23-year-old winger has become an integral member of Gareth Taylor’s squad, winning four trophies, while scoring 65 goals in 157 appearances.

Four-time winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year and included in back-to-back PFA WSL Teams of the Season, Hemp also has 55 England caps to her name.

Speaking about her three-year extension, Hemp said: “This is a special team. I want to take my game to the next level, and I feel like I’m capable of doing that here. The WSL is the best league to be in.

“I feel at home here in Manchester. With the squad we have here, we are always learning and it’s so special to be involved at a Club where we’re capable of achieving anything.

“I’m so passionate about this Club and there’s no place I’d rather be. I’m very excited to keep this journey going for the next few years.”

Director of Football Nils Nielsen added: "We are all so proud of Lauren and what she has already achieved in the six years she’s been with us – but we know there is so much more to come.

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“Lauren is fearless, hardworking and one of the game’s brightest young talents. What she has achieved in such a short career is incredible, and we can’t wait to see what the next few years hold for us a team and her as a player.

“The natural talent, ability and determination Lauren possesses is obvious, and we feel that she can become one of the best players in the world. We’ve only just scratched the surface of what she can do.”

Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “Lauren is an outstanding player and I’m looking forward to continuing the journey we started together four years ago.

“The growth she has shown has been incredible, and we know that she will continue to bring great things to the team for the next three years.

"There’s so much more to come and we’re really pleased that Lauren has extended her stay with the Club.”

City’s wing wizard

Lauren Hemp’s numbers during her time at Manchester City speak volumes of the impact she’s had on the Club over the past six seasons.

Only five players have made more appearances than her 157 in the Club’s professional history, while her tally of 65 goals in all competitions is bettered by only two.

She’s won four major honours, claimed as many PFA Young Player of the Year awards and been named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year on a further two occasions.

Add in being named City’s Player of the Season in 2021/22, plus a European Championships winners’ medal from 2022 as well as a World Cup final appearance and an MBE a year later, and you have achievements that would be the envy of many.

But what’s so remarkable about Hemp is the fact that she’s become such an integral player for both Club and country while still being just 23 years old.

In many ways, the England international is a throwback to the ‘traditional’ winger.

Famed for her incredible turn of pace and dribbling ability, it’s a common sight to see the winger drop her shoulder from a standing start and beat a full-back down the line, or slalom through multiple challenges en route to goal.

Her incredible mazy run and cutback for Chloe Kelly in a dramatic late win against Reading in March 2021 exemplified this unique quality, but she also possesses an incisive delivery from out wide once she’s got to the by-line.

Indeed, she’s grabbed the most assists in the WSL this season, while only Mary Fowler has provided more in a City shirt across all competitions.

On the other hand, she’s so much more than that, both in front of goal and off the ball.

Always capable of the spectacular, it was Hemp’s audacious scorpion kick effort which finally broke the stubborn resistance of Leicester City in February 2024, a win that could have a major bearing on our WSL title fortunes this term.

“It’s one of the best goals I’ve seen,” was Gareth Taylor’s assessment following that victory over the Foxes.

“The way she’s been able to manoeuvre that is incredible. It’s a magical goal. Honestly, when I saw it after, I was like ‘wow’. That’s a world class goal.”

But for all of her outstanding ability on the ball, Hemp is equally integral to this exciting young side when out of possession.

The England international is unquestionably one of the best defensive wingers in the WSL, with a constant willingness to do the dirty work, get back and support the team.

City boast the best defensive record in the top flight, but that starts from the front, and Hemp is essential to that game plan.

She’ll continue to be a vital cog in this well-oiled Gareth Taylor machine for years to come.