Arsenal veteran Jen Beattie signs new contract with Gunners
- Sixth player to sign a new contract with Arsenal since April
- Taking on an off-pitch role as Performance Lifestyle Lead.
- Has made a total of 157 appearances across two spells with the club
By Emily Keogh
Jen Beattie is the sixth Arsena player to sign a new contract with the club since April.
Arsenal skipper and Scotland teammate Kim Little signed a new contract in April, followed by Lia Walti, whose new deal in May came in May. Frida Maanum also committed her future to the club in early June, followed by Australians Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord.
Beattie played a key role for the Gunners last season, making a significant contribution towards the latter part of the season, filling in to make a back three due to Arsenal's injury crisis.
"I'm so happy to have signed a new contract," the 32-year-old said. "I'm happy here. I love the club. I love the group of people I work with – the players, the staff, everybody behind the team.
"The way the club has progressed over the last few seasons has been great to see and it was amazing to lift a trophy again last season and achieve that level of success as a team.
"I can't wait to see what we can achieve together next year.”
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The centre-back has had two spells with Arsenal, first joining in 2009, winning one league title, two FA Cups and two League Cups during that time. She left in 2013 but returned six years later after spells with Montpellier, Manchester City and Melbourne City.
In total, Beattie has made 157 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 32 goals along the way whilst earning an impressive 143 caps for Scotland during her 14-year-long international career.
In addition to her on-field role, Beattie worked with the commercial and partnerships teams and took up a mentoring role with our academy players last season. She will continue to collaborate across other areas of the club over the season ahead, as well as take on increased responsibility within the football department as Performance Lifestyle Lead.
Jonas Eidevall said, "Jen is a model professional, and I am delighted that she will continue to be part of our squad next season. Her contribution on and off the pitch last year was outstanding – she stepped up time and again when called upon and set an example for others to follow.
"I'm proud to coach her, and I know our supporters will join me in celebrating the news that Jen will remain an Arsenal player next year," the Swede added.
Off the field, Beattie was presented with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award in 2021 for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity while also being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2023 for services to football and charity.