Manchester United full-back Hannah Blundell has announced that she is pregnant.
Blundell will not play during the 2024-25 season and United state she will receive “ongoing support” from the club.
The 30-year-old’s contract had also been set to expire in the summer of 2025, but she has confirmed an option to extend the deal by a further year has been triggered.
“I’ve got some good and bad news,” Blundell said. “The bad news is that I’m out for the season, but the good news is that I’m pregnant.
“I’m really happy, my family is really happy. It’s great news for myself and my family, and something I wanted to share with the girls, the club, the fans and I’ve finally been able to do that.”
She continued: “The staff at the club have been really good. Matt (Johnson, United’s interim head of women’s football) spoke to me and straight away asked how I was doing.
“Some more positive news on that is they’ve triggered my option for next year, so thankfully I haven’t got to worry about where I’m going to be.”
A number of professional players have resumed their playing careers after giving birth, including Everton forward Toni Duggan and former Chelsea midfielder Melanie Leupolz in the WSL in recent seasons, in addition to the USWNT’s Crystal Dunn and the recently retired Alex Morgan.
FIFA announced its maternity regulations in 2021 to protect the rights of players who become pregnant during their playing careers.
The Football Association (FA) and Professional Football Association’s (PFA) maternity policy states “a player going on maternity leave will be paid 100 per cent of her weekly wage, as well as any other renumeration and benefits for the first 14 weeks, before reverting to applicable statuary rate”.
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Blundell joined United from Chelsea in the summer of 2021 and has been a mainstay at left-back for Marc Skinner’s side during her three years at the club.
She featured in all 22 Women’s Super League (WSL) matches last season and played the full 90 minutes during May’s FA Cup final at Wembley as United secured their maiden piece of silverware with a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
It marked an 11th major honour for Blundell, having won 10 trophies during her 11 years at Chelsea.
United have added depth at left-back this summer with the signing of Sweden defender Anna Sandberg from BK Hacken.
Skinner’s side begin the 2024-25 WSL campaign against West Ham United on September 21.
(Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
