Manchester United defender Millie Turner has signed a new contract with the club until the end of the 2024/25 WSL season.
Having spent time at the club at youth level before starting her senior career, Turner was an original recruit when United reformed a first-team in 2018 and has been an important player ever since.
The 26-year-old suffered a career threatening problem with an artery in her neck in early 2022 that could even have been fatal without swift medical treatment. But she has recaptured her best form this season and has formed a rock-solid centre-back partnership with Maya Le Tissier to underpin United’s record as the WSL’s joint meanest defence.
Turner’s previous contract had been to expire in the summer of 2022, but the club triggered a 12-month option that was included to keep her longer. Now, the new deal properly secures her future.
“I’m so happy to extend my contract. It’s the club that I want to be at – I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Turner said. “I just can’t wait to continue this journey; I think we’ve got something really special here. There’s no ceiling to what we can achieve, and I want to win trophies here.”
Manager Marc Skinner added, “Her personal journey is one that fully deserves this new contract, and we are delighted that her energy, enthusiasm, and all-round quality will remain a part of our special group.”
United remain in contract talks with Alessia Russo, Mary Earps and Ona Batlle.
Turner has been on the fringes of the England squad in recent years, highlighting the level that she is capable of performing at. She was called up to a training squad in September 2020 following Manchester United’s impressive first season in the WSL.
But the former Bristol City captain’s 2021/22 season was hampered by a knee injury before her illness suddenly ruled her out indefinitely and it derailed any chances she might have had of making it into the Lionesses squad for Euro 2022.
After being diagnosed and treated, Turner remained with the United squad on matchdays for several months before granted a personal holiday before the end of the season. She went on to credit that break for giving her the opportunity to unwind before resuming training in stages during the summer.
“The club did give me a bit of time to go away to America for a few weeks, so that helped me mentally switch off and just help me heal. I got back and felt so much better from that and then I got the good news and it’s just been on the up since then really,” she said in September.
“I’ve got a new lease of life. I think it just puts everything into perspective and now I feel like I’m on top of the world…just buzzing to get back on the pitch.”
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Credit: 90min.com
