In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through women’s football, Jamaican reggae girlz captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has committed her long-term future to Manchester City, penning a new four-year deal that will keep the star striker in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) until 2030.
The agreement marks a stunning reversal of fortune for both Shaw and the reigning WSL champions, just months after negotiations stalled and seemed set to end the star’s five-year tenure at the club. When contract talks broke down back in March, multiple top European sides immediately lined up to sign the in-demand forward on a free transfer. Seven-time WSL title holders Chelsea were widely reported to be on the cusp of landing Shaw, tabling an annual salary offer of £1 million (around $1.27 million) that would have ranked her among the highest-paid women’s footballers on the planet. Spanish and European giants FC Barcelona also tabled an official interest in luring the prolific striker to Catalonia, and speculation around an exit reached a fever pitch recently when Shaw told Sky Sports she could not guarantee she would be returning to City.
Now, the two-time reigning WSL and Football Writers Association Player of the Year has opened up about her delight at committing to the club she calls home. “I’m so happy to be at this incredible club for another four years,” Shaw said in an official statement released by the club Monday. “I’ve always said that Manchester City feels like home. I’ve developed so much as a player and grown so much as a person during my time here.”
“Helping the girls win the WSL title this season is one of the proudest moments of my career, and I’m so excited to see what we can do next season and beyond,” she added. “To the City fans – thank you for always supporting us all. I’m so happy to be on this memorable journey with you all and can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the future.”
Manchester City’s Director of Football Therese Sjogran emphasized that retaining Shaw, the club’s talismanic center-forward, was a non-negotiable priority after she delivered the club’s first WSL title in more than five years. “The stats and awards speak for themselves, but there’s so much more to Bunny than what she does on the pitch. She has become a real leader in the team, and I’m sure she’ll be a driving force on our return to UEFA Champions League football next season and our push to retain the WSL title,” Sjogran said.
“It’s a huge statement from City that we’ve secured the services of one of the best centre-forwards in the world, but also from Bunny that she believes we’re the best place for her to succeed. I’d like to thank her for that continued faith in what we’re hoping to achieve,” she added.
The 29-year-old, who joined Manchester City from French side Bordeaux in 2021, is enjoying the most prolific run of form of her career this season. She claimed her third consecutive WSL Golden Boot after netting 21 goals in 22 league appearances, powering City to the league title. Across all competitions, Shaw has scored an incredible 117 goals in 137 appearances for the club, making her the first player in Manchester City women’s team history to break the 100-goal barrier.
Shaw could add another major trophy to her cabinet this weekend, when Manchester City faces Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup final this Sunday.