Lucy Hope has committed her future to Everton, signing a new two-year contract until the end of June 2025.
The 26-year-old midfielder has been a revelation for Brian Sorensen’s side this season, adapting to a new position at right-wing back and missing only one league match due to injury.
A leader on and off the pitch, Hope has become a senior figure in the Everton squad and is part of manager Sorensen’s captain’s group.
Hope is looking forward to continuing her journey with the Club she joined from Bristol City in 2019.
“I’m absolutely delighted to extend my stay,” the Scotland international told evertontv.
“I think the way the Club and team is going at the minute is such an exciting time to be here and be involved.
“Brian came up to me quite early this season and was keen to have me stay. I think as a player that is obviously encouraging. To put pen to paper now, I’m just ready to get the next chapter going.”
Hope has been a consistent performer in her new role down the right channel and credited her manager for breathing new life into her game.
“That’s another reason why I wanted to stay,” Hope continued. “Brian’s introduced me to a new position that I feel like I’ve doing well in.
“He’s obviously seen something in my game that I had the attributes to play in that position. I’m playing really well and I want to continue that.”
Hope is one of several players within the Everton camp who have adopted new roles and thrived in the Women’s Super League this season.
The Scot insisted the best is still to come from her game and the Everton team under Sorensen.
“I think good players can play all over the pitch. I take that with confidence,” Hope said.
“I still think I’ve got miles to go. I don’t think I have even scratched the surface of my potential yet.
“I think together, by staying here, I can help the Club reach their potential just as much as they can support me reaching mine.”
Nicknamed ‘the Scottish Scouser’, Hope’s personal values clearly align with Everton’s.
She believes this is a key reason why she has settled so easily on the blue side of Merseyside.
“I think it comes from my background,” said Hope. “I’ve always wanted to work hard. I believe there’s no substitution for hard work.
“I come from a working-class background; I was never gifted anything.
“I’ve always had to work extremely hard to get where I am and I’m very proud of myself for that.
“Again, that’s something I want to set examples for players coming in. That there’s no substitution for hard work.”
Manager Sorensen praised Hope for her willingness to adapt and described her as one of the key performers for his side this season.
“Lucy has been vital for what we want to achieve,” he told evertonfc.com.
“She’s been so consistent – probably our most consistent player alongside Gabby George – and been really good at adapting to a new position.
“It’s something I identified before I came in. Her heading is extremely good, she’s comfortable on the ball.
“Looking at her attributes and thinking how that could fit in the way that we wanted to play, it made sense for her to play there.
“She’s clever, understands her role really well, is easy to work with and is a good character.
“She leads by example and I’m extremely pleased Lucy has extended her stay at Everton.”
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