Megan Finnigan Signs One-Year Extension to Stay at Everton WSL

Everton captain Megan Finnigan has committed to a further year at the club, a deal that will take her to 20 seasons with the Toffees including academy time.

Everton's Women's Super League side have tied down their captain Megan Finnigan on a one-year contract extension, the club confirmed. The deal keeps the 28-year-old centre-back at Goodison's women's set-up for what will be her 20th year at the club — a figure that covers both her academy days and a senior career stretching back to 2015.

Finnigan has made more than 200 appearances for Everton since her senior debut, a number that would almost certainly be higher had she not lost the entirety of last season to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. ACL absences routinely run to nine months or more, and Finnigan was kept out for the full WSL campaign — meaning the new deal is as much about recovery continuity as it is reward for service.

Speaking on signing, Finnigan was measured but upbeat. "I am feeling very positive at the minute," she said. "I am glad to get this sorted, and recovery-wise I am in a good place. I have been in over the off-season, working hard to get back."

The milestone of two decades at a single club is increasingly rare at any level of the professional game. Finnigan acknowledged as much: "This will be my 20th year at the club and that's special for me. Hopefully it is even more special because it is the season that I make my return."

What the extension means for Everton

Retaining your captain through a serious injury layoff sends a clear signal of intent — the club are banking on Finnigan returning to her level rather than replacing her leadership from elsewhere. Everton have operated in the WSL's lower half for much of the past two seasons, and experienced defensive cover will be essential if they are to push further up the table in 2025-26.

Finnigan became club captain in 2023 (per the BBC's report on her appointment), so she enters this contract renewal with the armband already secured. The timing of the announcement — during pre-season — gives the backline time to reintegrate her ahead of the new WSL campaign, rather than rushing her back mid-season as can happen when contract uncertainty drags on.

ACL context worth noting

ACL injuries in women's football have attracted significant attention from governing bodies and researchers in recent years, with return-to-play timelines and re-injury rates both under scrutiny. Finnigan's emphasis on a positive recovery — and the fact she has been working through the off-season — suggests she is on track, though the club have not set a specific return date. Given she missed the full previous campaign, caution at the start of this one would be reasonable.

A player with 200-plus appearances and a decade of senior experience at the club is not easily replaced in the WSL market. Everton holding onto that asset, even at reduced match fitness, looks straightforward business sense.

FAQs

Frequently asked

How long has Megan Finnigan been at Everton?: Finnigan joined Everton's academy as a youngster and has been at the club ever since. Her new one-year extension means the 2025-26 season will be her 20th year with the Toffees, counting both academy and senior football.
Why did Megan Finnigan miss last season?: Finnigan was sidelined for the entirety of the 2024-25 WSL campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. She has said she is in a "good place" with her recovery after working through the off-season.
When did Megan Finnigan become Everton captain?: Finnigan was appointed Everton captain in 2023. She has held the armband going into this new contract extension.