Manchester United full-back Hannah Blundell has introduced that she is pregnant.
Blundell is not going to play throughout the 2024-25 season and United state she is going to obtain “ongoing help” from the membership.
The 30-year-old’s contract had additionally been set to run out in the summertime of 2025, however she has confirmed an choice to increase the deal by an extra yr has been triggered.
“I’ve received some good and dangerous information,” Blundell stated. “The dangerous information is that I’m out for the season, however the excellent news is that I’m pregnant.
“I’m actually completely satisfied, my household is actually completely satisfied. It’s nice information for myself and my household, and one thing I wished to share with the ladies, the membership, the followers and I’ve lastly been ready to try this.”
She continued: “The employees on the membership have been actually good. Matt (Johnson, United’s interim head of ladies’s soccer) spoke to me and immediately requested how I used to be doing.
“Some extra optimistic information on that’s they’ve triggered my choice for subsequent yr, so fortunately I haven’t received to fret about the place I’m going to be.”
Plenty of skilled gamers have resumed their taking part in careers after giving delivery, together with Everton ahead Toni Duggan and former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz within the Girls’s Tremendous League (WSL) in current seasons, along with the USWNT’s Crystal Dunn and the just lately retired Alex Morgan.
FIFA introduced its maternity rules in 2021 to guard the rights of gamers who change into pregnant throughout their taking part in careers.
The Soccer Affiliation (FA) and Skilled Soccer Affiliation’s (PFA) maternity coverage states “a participant occurring maternity go away will probably be paid 100 per cent of her weekly wage, in addition to some other renumeration and advantages for the primary 14 weeks, earlier than reverting to relevant statuary charge”.
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Blundell joined United from Chelsea in the summertime of 2021 and has been a mainstay at left-back for Marc Skinner’s aspect throughout her three years on the membership.
She featured in all 22 WSL matches final season and performed the complete 90 minutes throughout Might’s FA Cup ultimate at Wembley as United secured their maiden piece of silverware with a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
It marked an eleventh main honour for Blundell, having received 10 trophies throughout her 11 years at Chelsea.
United have added depth at left-back this summer time with the signing of Sweden defender Anna Sandberg from BK Hacken.
Skinner’s aspect start the 2024-25 WSL marketing campaign towards West Ham United on September 21.
(Lewis Storey/Getty Pictures)
