The midfielder - who initially made the move to the Academy Stadium in the summer of 2019 - will now remain at the Club until June 2025 after putting pen to paper on a new deal.
Quickly settling into life in Manchester, Coombs played a key part in the team’s routes to winning the Women’s FA Cup in 2020 and Continental Tyres League Cup in 2022, alongside another trip to Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup Final last May.
Nominated for Barclays’ Player and Goal of the Month accolades in December as well as being named PFA Fan’s WSL Player of the Month, Coombs has now committed her future to Gareth Taylor’s side with a two-year extension to her current deal.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on her new contract, she said: “I’m really happy to get this new deal sorted.
“I feel really settled and valued at Manchester City. We’ve got a great group here that’s so ambitious and so driven, and I’m very happy to continue to be a part of that.
“Anyone who comes to City knows that they’ll develop as a player - that was a big reason for me coming here initially and now extending my deal again. As long as I’m here, I know I will continue to do just that.
“When I go out on the pitch right now, I feel super confident, I know my role in the team, and Gareth [Taylor] always pushes me to do more.
“Right now, this is probably the most consistent football of my career which is great, and I can’t wait to continue that in the years to come.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We’re thrilled to have Laura sign a new deal with us - she thoroughly deserves this extension.
“She is an incredibly important and popular member of our squad and has proven since she arrived at City what a dependable and talented player she is.
“Her experience is invaluable as we strive for more success as a team, and we’re really excited to continue working with her over the coming years.”
The complete midfielder
Coombs came to the Academy Stadium with a wealth of experience having previously plied her trade at fellow WSL sides Chelsea and Liverpool.
Quietly going about her business, her energy, tenacity and technical quality can often be overlooked elsewhere despite Gareth Taylor consistently singing the midfielder’s praises.
Helping City claim the FA Cup and Continental Cup during her time so far at the Club, Coombs has been a model of consistency – diligently going about her business with minimal fuss and more than a sprinkle of quality.
An exquisite touch and finish against Liverpool in November 2020 and a rocket from distance against Manchester United a few weeks later were two demonstrations of what she can produce in those initial seasons at the Academy Stadium.
However, afforded a greater opportunity in the midfield this year, Coombs’ game has once again reached a new level.
With four goals and four assists in 15 appearances, better than one every other match across the campaign and the most per 90 for a player in her position in the WSL across 2022/23, our number seven is already enjoying the best season of her career in front of goal.
Whether it be a piledriver from distance akin to her strikes against Aston Villa and Brighton or finishing off a team move with a cleverly timed run into the box as was seen during December’s Manchester derby, the midfielder’s threat at the sharp end has been clear time and again.
And in matches when the chips are down – such as against Manchester United - she has often been the player to stick their head above the parapet and, whether it be a penetrating pass, full-blooded challenge or decisive strike, change the complexion of a keenly fought contest.
However, like any compete midfielder, her value goes far beyond her goalscoring exploits.
An energetic, box-to-box player, Coombs epitomises Manchester City’s high intensity pressing style, seen across the board in our men’s, women’s and youth sides.
Indeed, she has won possession in the final third more than any other midfielder in the WSL this season.
Coombs also ranks in the top five for chances created in her position, while her passing accuracy – an incredible 85.7% - also puts her third among WSL midfielders in 2022/23.
Although the 32-year-old is never one to seek the spotlight, her number across the campaign are tantamount to the growing recognition that she fully deserves, demonstrated by her winning December 2022’s PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award.
Committing her future to the Club until 2025, there’s plenty more time for one of City’s greatest assets to continue her rise.
