Women’s Super League: Welsh defensive duo Filbey and Evans pen new contracts
Gemma Evans of Wales in action against Northern Ireland Wales v Northern Ireland Women's UEFA EURO Qualifier at Rodney Parade. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales’ defensive duo Anna Filbey and Gemma Evans have signed new contracts with their respective clubs.
Filbey has put pen-to-paper on a new one-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the 2020-21 campaign, with the option to extend her contract for another year.
She made the switch from north London rivals Arsenal in 2018 and helped Spurs seal promotion to the WSL during her first season with the club.
The 20-year-old signed her first professional contract with the club prior to last season’s campaign and forced her way into Jayne Ludlow’s Wales squad.
Filbey earned her first senior cap in Wales’ Euro 2021 qualifying win over Belarus in October, before featuring in the friendly victory over Estonia in March.
She told the club’s website: “I am really happy to have signed a new deal because I’ve loved every minute at Spurs so far. Since being here, I feel I have grown massively as a player and learnt a lot.
“We have a great group of players and staff that all want to succeed and being in that type of environment is one that really motivates me to improve and drives me to want to support my team-mates even more.”
The news comes after Spurs confirmed that Filbey’s team-mate and fellow Wales international Megan Wynne will be departing the club at the end of her contract this summer.
Meanwhile, Evans will remain with Bristol City for next season’s campaign after she extended her stay with the Robins.
The 24-capped Wales international has made 31 appearances for the Robins since joining the club from Yeovil Town in 2018, netting one goal in the process.
But she has been out with injury since February after being forced off in their 5-0 defeat against Everton.
“It’s great that my time at Bristol City has been extended, and I’m excited to see how we can push on next season,” Evans told the club’s website.
“Last season was tough for the group and on a personal level with my injury, but we have a great team environment and kept fighting until the end, which saw us through.
“Rehab is going well and I’m determined to get back on the pitch with my team-mates as soon as possible.”
Bristol City manager Tanya Oxtoby added: “Gemma is such an important part of our squad both on and off the pitch, and a pleasure to work with.
“I’m really pleased we have the opportunity to work together for another season and watching her develop into the player we all know she can be.”
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
