The defender – who joined City in the summer of 2021 - will now remain at the Academy Stadium until June 2025 after putting pen to paper on a new deal.
Kennedy announced on her social media channels that she wouldn’t feature in our remaining two fixtures of the current campaign due to injury, but is excited by what the future holds on her return.
“I’m really happy to be staying here at City – I’ve loved my time here so far,” the defender said of her extension.
“I feel like I still have a lot more to give on a personal level and for the team, so I’m looking forward to continuing our success here.
“I feel as though I have unfinished business here at City. I’ve worked hard to get myself into a position where I’ve learned the style, and I have a great relationship with all the girls and staff.
“I feel as though I’ve got so much more to learn as a player though, and this is an environment where I can do that and get better every day, surrounded by the best players.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We’re really pleased to have Alanna extend her contract with us here at City.
“She’s had some challenging periods to overcome in her first couple of seasons here, but she’s a player who has a lot to offer to our squad with her ability and experience.
“We’re really looking forward to working with her over the coming years as we go in search of success as a team.”
SILK AND STEEL
During her first interview as a City player in August 2021, Alanna Kennedy described herself as a player who loved to be in possession and dictate play from deep.
The Australian’s footballing philosophy, therefore, intertwined perfectly with that of her new employers, exemplified by a successful loan spell at City Football Group club Melbourne City FC in 2017/18, where she would claim the W-League Championship.
And after a single season at fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur – initially on loan – Kennedy had already proven she could adapt to the rigours of the English game before arriving at the Academy Stadium.
Still enjoying only her second campaign at City, Kennedy’s career in Manchester is still in its relative infancy, but she has already played an important role in our recent success.
After a well-documented slow start to the previous campaign, Gareth Taylor’s side would go on to win 11 of our 13 league matches in the new year, as well as reach the FA Cup final and claim a fourth Continental Cup triumph.
She was instrumental in that turnaround, becoming a near ever-present after returning from international duty in February while also starting against Chelsea in both the Conti Cup and FA Cup showpieces.
As Kennedy became a regular, her qualities continued to flourish, with her intelligent reading of the game – honed from a wealth of experience at the top of the game – complemented by that impressive ability on the ball which she had highlighted in her signing interview.
But to only talk of the defender’s technical prowess would be a disservice.
She might have seen the funny side of a broken nose sustained on international duty in April 2022, but it provided evidence that the 28-year-old is prepared to put her body on the line for club and country.
It was a similar story in January 2023 when Kennedy was caught in the face from close-range by a cross in our 1-0 win over West Ham United. Undeterred, she dusted herself down and would earn player of the match in a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Indeed, there’s plenty of substance to match the style.
Committing her future to the Club until 2025, there’s sure to be plenty more standout performances from City’s defensive rock.
SEASON-BY-SEASON STATS
2021/22
Played: 22
Goals: 1
Clean sheets: 13
Honours: Continental Cup
2022/23
Played: 7
Clean sheets: 5
