Khadija Shaw signs record-breaking contract with Manchester City

Khadija Shaw has signed a four-year contract at Manchester City that will make her by far the world’s highest-paid women’s footballer, after one of the most dramatic U-turns the Women’s Super League transfer market has ever seen.

The Jamaica striker is set to receive significantly more than £1m per season until 2030, according to multiple sources, after Manchester City made a last-gasp intervention to exceed the offer Shaw had received from Chelsea.

The WSL’s Golden Boot winner for a third consecutive season, with 21 goals in 22 league appearances this term, Shaw is widely considered to be the best striker in the world on current form and her future has been in major doubt, as her existing deal was expiring this summer.

The 29-year-old had indicated to Manchester City earlier in May that she had decided to leave this summer and she had been set to say goodbye to the club she joined in 2021, because City had not matched rival clubs’ offers.

However, over the past 48 hours, discussions between the new WSL champions and Shaw have made rapid progress and she signed her new deal on Monday morning, before announcing it – to the surprise and delight of City fans – during their trophy parade on Monday evening.

Shaw had always told Manchester City that her preference was to stay at the club which she repeatedly called “home” and, in March, she had been close to agreeing terms.

Shaw told the club’s media channels: “I’m so happy to be at this incredible club for another four years. 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 first five years here.”

Manchester City’s director of football, Therese Sjögran, 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.”