Arsenal youngster signs first professional contract

Centre-back Katie Reid has signed her first professional contract with Arsenal after making her first-team debut this year.

The 18-year-old has already made an impression on the club by securing a handful of first team appearances across the Barclays Women's Super League and UEFA Women's Champions League.

She made her first team debut in Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Bristol City in April. Reid also recently started and played the full 90 minutes of the north London club's clash with Washington Spirit during their pre-season tour.

"I'm so proud to be putting pen to paper on a professional contract at a club that means so much to me," she said. "Ever since I was a kid and first started playing foorball, this is what I always aspired to so it means the world. I want to keep working hard and progressing and I can't wait to continue my development here at Arsenal."

Reid spent last season on loan at Championship club Watford as part of a dual-registration agreement, helping to further develop herself as a player.

Outside of club football, the youngster also has international experience already, after captaining the young Lionesses to the semi-finals of the under-17 European Championship last year. Most recently, she was part of the under-19 England squad that reached the semi-final of the European Championship.

Arsenal's director of women's football, Clare Wheatley added: "She has been a key part of our academy sides throughout her time here and has stepped up impressively to first-team level in recent weeks and months. Katie has worked hard to get to this point and we know she will continue to invest all her efforts into her future profession and development with us."

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