Quinn extends her contract with Arsenal
JUST a few months ago, Louise Quinn was without a club or a home in England. Now, the Blessington native has just signed an extension on her contract with Arsenal Women Football Club, giants of the game overseas.
In February, the 27-year-old called time on four years with Swedish side Edkilstuna United and joine the ranks at Notts County. Fast forward three months, to April 21, and Quinn’s world appeared to have been turned upside down.
Two days before the season was to begin on her new adventure, Quinn and her team-mates were informed that the club was withdrawing from the league and that effectively they were all free to leave.
Reflecting on the debacle in hindsight, Quinn is understandably annoyed but also understanding of the realities of the game: “You’re always going to look back on it and be angry and disappointed in the manner it happened, and that it actually happened. But in another sense, you have to think that you’re coming into professional football and it is a business. It’ll still always sit with me as one of the craziest things that happened in my career.”
Quinn, who has amassed 59 caps for the Republic of Ireland, thankfully found herself snapped up for the remainder of the season by Arsenal as they looked to bolster the defence. Her deal expired in June but it was announced this week that she has extender her stay with the Gunners.
Speaking to 42.ie, Quinn admitted it was a difficult predicament but she can have no complaints about the end result.
“I got given the chance to come to such a big club and you want to prove yourself straight away and try to make sure you can stay in the team,” she adds.
“It was a tough situation to come into, but I wasn’t too worried either. I’d already been through a lot, so I thought I might as well just enjoy this opportunity. It’s something that had come out of nowhere. I didn’t have too much time to think about it really.
“I was able to get that bit of game time and help contribute to the team, so it worked out well in the end.”