Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce that Ella Rutherford has signed a new contract with the club, keeping her with the Addicks for the 2022/23 campaign.
The 22-year old made history last season when she became the first female player to score for the Addicks as a fully professional outfit.
Rutherford, who joined Charlton in the summer of 2020, expressed her excitement at staying in SE7 for a further year.
She said: “I am over the moon, I have really enjoyed playing for Charlton over the last few seasons, I feel right at home here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I really enjoyed working with Karen [Hills] last year. I like the way Charlton play, more so in our home. It is great for me to play professional football in my hometown, and I am really looking forward to next season."
The forward, who hails from south London, expressed the pride she felt of representing her hometown: “I think it is a privilege as some people have to move away. To be in and around my family and having that support network around me, as well as being able to play full-time football, is a dream."
Rutherford scored five goals in 21 appearances for Karen Hills’ side last season, helping guide the squad to a fifth-place finish in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
“For a first season as a full-time outfit I think we did well," she added. "We fell short but there is definitely more to come from this club.
“I am really excited, I can’t wait to get started and get going again. Obviously new players coming in, new staff coming in, it’s going to be a real good feel about Charlton again. I am looking to improve on what I did last year and hopefully take the Addicks to where they should be, finishing at the top of the table."
Head Coach Karen Hills was delighted that Rutherford had penned another year with the club, she said: “I’m extremely pleased that Ella will be a Charlton player next season. Ella has shown she has fantastic ability at this level and I’m looking forward to watching her progress even further this season.”
Click here to purchase your season ticket for the Addicks' 2022/23 Barclays Women's Championship campaign.