Everton defender Megan Finnigan has signed a new three-year contract, committing her future to the Club until the end of June 2026.
An Everton Academy graduate, Finnigan is currently the Blues’ longest-serving Women’s player, having joined at the age of nine.
The centre-half, who celebrated her 25th birthday on Sunday, has been a star performer for Brian Sorensen’s side this season, making 14 appearances across all competitions and scoring two goals.
A player who has shown clear signs of progression since Sorensen became manager last summer, Finnigan says she is honoured to be able to continue to represent the Club.
“I’m delighted,” she told evertontv. “I’ve been here for a very long time and this contract will extend that stay even further.
“Anyone who knows me knows how much I love this club.
“With the length of the contract I’ve signed, that tells me how much the Club values me and wants me, which is massive as a player.
“I’m so thankful I have been able to achieve my dream of being a footballer and for it to be at Everton.”
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Several high-profile players have represented Everton and gone on to enjoy memorable careers to cement themselves in the history of the women’s game.
Finnigan hopes she can follow in a similar path while representing the Blues and be remembered among Everton royalty.
“I want to be remembered as an Everton legend,” Finnigan said.
“If you look at past Everton players, legends who have played women’s football and have gone on to do amazing things in their career. A lot of them started out at Everton.
“I want to stay here as long as the Club values me and as long as I continue to develop as a player.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to sign this new deal.”
Despite having the youngest average starting XI in the Women’s Super League, Sorensen’s side have shown real maturity in their performances and secured significant results so far this season.
Finnigan has played her part in an Everton defence that has kept five clean sheets in matches she has started in.
A leader by performance in the Blues backline, she discussed what has changed in her game over the past year.
“I feel like I’ve had a really good season so far in terms of consistency,” added Finnigan.
“A lot of things have changed, Brian coming in is the obvious one. He’s brought a new lease of life into the team.
“It’s a really exciting journey that we’re on. We’ve made a lot of progress this year, but we have much more progress we want to make.
“That’s another reason why I signed - I want to be part of it.
“Under Brian this year, we play a style of football that suits me in terms of keeping the ball and playing in possession.
150 and counting... 🔵
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 30, 2022
🔝 @MeganFinnigan1 pic.twitter.com/uPTw4cAKfW
“I have been exposed to different positions and it’s a whole new learning experience.
“This season I’ve had to think about my game more than I ever have done before which is due to Brian and the way he wants us to play.
“It’s all part of developing me as a player but he has shown faith in me.
“If you feel that sense of trust then you can go out every weekend and perform freely, which I feel is what I’ve been doing.”
A passionate player who wears her heart on her sleeve, Finnigan admitted she would love to lift silverware in the coming seasons while in Royal Blue.
“I love this football club and I think the fans can see that every time I put the shirt on, step onto the pitch and give my absolute all,” she said.
“I want to work my absolute socks off for the Club but I also want to be part of a club with ambition.
“Going forward in the next three years, what can we really achieve as a Club?
“I want to be winning silverware within my career. I think we’ve set the foundations this year. Hopefully next season and going forward we can really step up.”
Manager Sorensen added: “We are really pleased to extend Megan’s contract.
“She is one of our homegrown players who knows exactly what it means to represent this great club.
“Megan has been excellent this season. She’s played a lot of games and she’s the type of player we want in our squad for our playing style.
“I’m delighted I can continue to work with her and play a part of improving her as a player even further.”
