Demi Stokes says she’s proud of the immense growth of the women’s game she’s seen at both Manchester City and globally after penning a new deal at the Academy Stadium. 

By signing a one-year contract extension at the Club, the legendary full-back will enter her ninth year in Manchester since making the switch from Vancouver Whitecaps in 2015.  

In that time, she has impressively won seven major honours in sky blue while also witnessing and impacting the huge progression of the sport at home and abroad.  

The evidence is clear to see -- with a record 44,259 crowd at a City Women’s home match last season one of a swathe of examples across the world.   

And although Stokes is delighted to see the strides that have already been taken to transform women’s football, she believes there’s still a lot of hard work to be done to continue its development.  

“[I’m] extremely proud [of the growth of the women’s game], she explained.  

“I think if you look at the women’s game, when I first signed, I think I visited a big mud patch here, there was nothing here, but I was like ‘yeah I’ll sign’.   

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“To see where the games gone and to see how it’s grown, to see how players have grown, individuals and obviously the squad is changing all the time.   

“To see that in itself and to be in this position is an honour. We’re in a good position but I don’t think we’re satisfied. I’m glad that I can contribute to that and help.”  

In total, Stokes has made 199 appearances for City and is our third highest appearance maker.  

During that time she has been an integral part of our squad both on and off the pitch and played a vital role in our maiden Barclays Women’s Super League success in 2015.  

As a result, the versatile defender says she’s grateful for the opportunities City has afforded her career.  

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She added: “When I first came in to now, I didn’t even know it was nine years to be honest, but it flies by and I think obviously like I’ve always said I’m just grateful that I can continue my career, my journey and push on to have a good season.   

“I’ve always said City is my home, Manchester is my home, so it was a no brainer. To be able to stay here, extend and be around for the family as well makes me happy.”