Denise O'Sullivan agrees new deal to stay at North Carolina Courage for two more years

There’s no big move to Manchester United for Cork’s own Denise O’Sullivan, as the midfielder has put pen to paper and signed a new contract with North Carolina Courage.

The Republic of Ireland centurion was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, and the rumours were ended with a two-year contract extension that will make her the highest paid player at the club.

Aston Villa Washington Spirit and San Diego Wave were all interested in acquiring O’Sullivan’s services after a spell in the United States that saw her win two NWSL Championships, three NWSL Sheilds, and two NWSL Challenge Cups.

She was key to the team win the NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019 with three straight NWSL Shields from 2017 through 2019 and a pair of NWSL Challenge Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, while also helping the Courage claim the inaugural ICC Championship in 2018.

“I’m delighted and honoured to extend my time with the North Carolina Courage,” O’Sullivan told the club’s media team.

“When I joined seven years ago, I had no idea how big an impact this club would have on me as a player and a person. 

"The Courage prioritizes playing a beautiful style of football that suits me well and holds everyone to incredibly high standards while creating a family environment that allows for healthy growth. 

"The opportunity to serve as captain of this club has been one of the great joys of my professional life, and I am excited to stay and help teach the next wave of players what it means to be a member of the Courage. 

"We’ve had a lot of great accomplishments in my time here, but we have much more to do. 

"I’m excited to get back to work with my girls.” 

Courage head coach Sean Nahas described the talismanic midfielder as a club legend.

“It’s a great day for our club. Denise’s decision to stay here in North Carolina means everything. 

"She’s a club legend, a leader, a world-class person and player. 

"It means the world to me and our staff that she trusts us to help her continue to grow as a player and add to her legendary career. 

"She has stood by us and helped us get through so much, both on and off the field. 

"She is the embodiment of what it is to be a Courage player and someone I have the utmost respect for. 

"She has been a massive part of our past and she will be a major part of shaping our future. 

"I am absolutely thrilled to have her stay here and can’t wait for our captain and leader to continue setting the standard and raising the bar of the club and team.” said Courage Head Coach Sean Nahas.

O’Sullivan is the North Carolina Courage captain, a position she took up at the start of the 2023 season.

The team are currently ranked sixth in the NWSL table and they are on course for competing in the play-offs at the end of the year, which will give them a chance of winning the league championship.