Abbey-Leigh Stringer has penned a new contract with West Ham United.
West Ham’s No4 will be staying at the east London club following a contract extension, as she looks to get back into full fitness for the 23/24 season.
The 28-year-old has made 39 appearances in all competitions over her time at West Ham since joining in 2021, with eleven WSL appearances during the 22/23 season, before suffering an injury which led to Stringer being out for the remainder of the year.
The midfielder spoke to West Ham’s official website where she explained that she is excited to get back to full fitness and returning with the team.
“I’m really pleased to have signed a new contract with West Ham United,” Stringer explained to the clubs Official Website.
“It was a really difficult end the last season for me personally because of injury. This is the longest injury that I’ve had in my career but I’m working really hard to try and get back fit for when the season gets underway.
“I’m really excited to get back out there and get the shirt on again. I hope it’s going to be a really exciting season and I’m pleased that I’ve got another chance to play in front of the West Ham fans.
“We want to hit the ground running and make a good start to the season, and hopefully I’ll be available for selection and can help the team from the off.”
Aidan Boxall, General Manager, also expressed his feelings on the extension of Stringers contract and is pleased to welcome her back with the rest of the team ahead of the next season.
“Abbey-Leigh has been an integral member of the squad since joining us two years ago.
“Due to an unfortunate run of injuries, we missed Abbey-Leigh’s presence in the middle of the park for large periods of the 2022/23 season. But it’s great to see her back fighting fit and ready to kickstart this new season on the front foot.” he added.
“We’re really pleased that she will be extending her stay with us and we look forward to seeing her drive this team forwards moving into the 2023/24 campaign.”
The West Ham Way would like to congratulate Abbey-Leigh and look forward to seeing the player back in action in the new season!
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The club has not only lost their imperious and ever-present talisman but also their captain – a pillar of leadership, composure, and tenacity.
It has left the Hammers scrambling as they assess how to adequately reinvest the mammoth £105m fee acquired from the record sale.
A new midfielder is the most pressing concern for West Ham, but David Moyes is reportedly also targeting a new right-sided centre-back.
One of those linked is Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
What’s the latest on Taylor Harwood-Bellis to West Ham?
According to the Guardian, the Irons are working on a deal for the Manchester City prodigy.
Alongside Harwood-Bellis, West Ham are also looking at Trevoh Chalobah and Harry Maguire. However, due to Wesley Fofana’s injury and the former Manchester United skipper’s high wages, the youngster could emerge as the most logical and attainable option.
The Evening Standard, meanwhile, claims the Premier League champions value their young talent at around £15m.
Would Taylor Harwood-Bellis be a good signing for West Ham?
Despite still being just a 21-year-old, Harwood-Bellis has amassed a commendable range of experience, including various Championship loans and a short stint with Anderlecht.
This means he’s accumulated 97 appearances away from the Etihad Stadium and is now well-placed to regularly feature for a Premier League side.
The 6 foot 2 gem has also sporadically made inroads into Pep Guardiola’s lineups, making his professional debut for his boyhood club in September 2019 in the EFL Cup.
At the beginning of 2020, he scored his first goal for City in an FA Cup victory over Port Vale and was rewarded with a new contract until 2024.
However, a pathway into the City first-team looks extremely complicated and murky.
The reigning European Champions already boast the likes of Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Aymeric Laporte, and seem on the verge of signing Josko Gvardiol.
Nevertheless, Harwood-Bellis deserves consistent top-flight football, thanks to a hugely impressive period at Burnley.
Last season, whilst on loan at Turf Moor, he made 31 second-tier starts, averaging the most interceptions (1.1) and blocks (0.7) per game in the squad as the Clarets cantered to promotion and conceded the least goals (35) in the division.
Internationally, the Englishman has also underlined his quality, as he captained the U21 Three Lions to European Championship. During this run, he started five of the six games, managed a 90% pass accuracy, and won 86% of his ground duels.
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