Dutch international Kerstin Casparij has signed a new deal with Manchester City until 2027.
The 24-year-old full-back joined the club in the summer of 2022 from FC Twente but was one of five players expected to be out of contract at the end of this season. Casparij scored his first goal for the club earlier this month in a 2-0 home win against St. Polten, leaving his mark on the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Despite interest from unnamed clubs, Casparij insists it was always his intention to extend his stay at the Joie Stadium. “There was a bit (interest from other clubs) but I knew I wanted to stay and I had already made up my mind,” he told the media earlier this week.
“I think the first conversations I had with the club were in March and I had already made up my mind. I knew I wanted to stay. So any other interest was thanks, but no thanks.
Since the arrival of Casparij in 2022, city they have achieved fourth and second place in the classification WSLbut they have not reached a national cup final. They were knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying rounds in the defender’s first season, so reaching the knockout stages of the competition this term is a huge step forward for both club and player.
“I felt that my time here was not over,” Casparij continued. “I still have a lot of areas to improve on and as much as I’ve grown over the last two and a half years, I still think my best games are ahead of me.
“The club felt like the right place to be and the right place to stay. It’s really become home over the last few years, so I just wanted to stay home for a while.”
Gareth Taylor was instrumental in bringing Casparij to the club two years ago, and the defender is pleased with the progress he has made under the manager. “That’s the goal (to be one of the best full-backs in the world) and Gareth helps me work on it,” he concluded.
“As I said, I still have many areas to improve, but I think City is the right place for me. Gareth has helped me a lot and holds me to very high standards, which works for me too.
“I think the combination of the aspirations I have and the support of the club in this is very good.”
