Arsenal captain Kim Little has signed a new contract to keep her at the club beyond the end of the current season, when her deal was due to expire. 

The Gunners do not reveal the length of contract extensions, but Jonas Eidevall told the club’s website that “we are so pleased that she will continue to represent Arsenal for years to come”.

Little first joined the club in 2008 at the age of seventeen, going on to score 164 goals in 290 games for the club across two spells for the Gunners. Arsenal revealed the news on Tuesday morning in a video narrated by Little, just a day after it was confirmed that she would be out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 32-year old midfielder says she is “proud of the progress” that Arsenal have made since she first joined. “Arsenal has been such an important part of my life and over time this club has become my home. It continues to be a privilege to represent Arsenal and I’m still so motivated to move this club forward and to be a part of its success.”

Jonas Eidevall labelled Little a “world-class player and an exemplary professional”, saying that “On and off the pitch, Kim is such an important part of what we are trying to achieve here at Arsenal Football Club so we are all delighted with this news.”

Little’s injury is a significant blow to Arsenal, who will be without their captain as they fight for silverware in England and on the continent.

Arsenal travel to current league leaders Manchester United on Wednesday night in the Women’s Super League before the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League semi final against Wolfsburg in Germany on Sunday afternoon.