Man City's Casparij signs new deal until 2027
Kerstin Casparij says Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor has played a key part in her development
- Published
Defender Kerstin Casparij says she wants to "become a big name" in the Women's Super League after signing a new deal to stay at Manchester City until 2027.
The 24-year-old has been a key player for City this season after joining from FC Twente in 2022.
The Netherlands full-back says Manchester City "feels like home" and she wants to help the club achieve success in the WSL and Europe.
"I want to win silverware. I want to develop and hopefully become a big name in the WSL. That's a big thing for me," said Casparij.
"I still have my best games ahead of me. The club felt like the right place to be and to stay. It has truly become home.
"Moving abroad on my own and living in Manchester has changed me as a person. Playing in such a professional environment helped me massively in becoming who I am.
"I have got a lot more comfortable and confident in the last few years. I'm just generally really enjoying myself."
'The club is very warm'
The Netherlands player has often been described as one of the WSL's top full-backs by her club manager Gareth Taylor.
She took time to settle, competing for game time in her first six months, before becoming a regular as City mounted a WSL title challenge last season.
"I feel like City is the place to be. Gareth Taylor helps me so much and holds me to high standards," added Casparij.
"That works out for me. The combination of the aspiration I have, and the club supporting me with that, is just really good."
Having met her partner in Manchester, as well as enjoying her football, Casparij says she wanted to "stay at home a little while longer".
"Whenever I go away with the national team and they ask me about leaving, I say 'I'm going home, I'm going to Manchester'," she said.
"To be able to have that stability, to not have to move and to stay here, I think is really special.
"The club is very warm. There are a lot of very good people. They have done a good job at bringing great people in to create a family environment.
"In the city, the people are just really nice up here. I heard it's a northern thing!"