Crystal Palace Women have tied down three key players for the next two seasons after announcing contract extensions for goalkeeper Shae Yañez, defender Hayley Nolan and attacker Ashleigh Weerden.

The Eagles confirmed the trio’s fresh terms via their official club website on Tuesday, locking them in until summer 2028. Palace sit 15th in the Premier League with 45 points from 38 games this season, four points clear of the drop zone.

What the new deals mean

Shae Yañez’s extension came first. The 29-year-old has started every Barclays WSL2 game for Palace since joining from Bristol City in summer 2024, and was their undisputed number one between the posts last term. Her deal now runs through to 2028, giving the manager a settled spine for the club’s second spell in the top flight.

Hayley Nolan’s new contract follows. The Republic of Ireland international arrived from London City Lionesses in summer 2023 and slotted straight into the back line, playing 15 of Palace’s Barclays WSL2 matches last season. Her experience in defence will be vital as the Eagles chase survival.

Ashleigh Weerden rounds out the trio. The Dutch forward joined from Ajax in summer 2024 and hit seven goals and ten assists in all 22 league games last term. Her creativity and end product—41 goals scored this season—give Palace a cutting edge up front.

Why it matters for Crystal Palace Women

Promoted back to the Barclays Women’s Super League at the first attempt last spring, Palace are still finding their feet among the elite. With only a 40-point gap to leaders Arsenal and a -10 goal difference, every point counts. Keeping Yañez, Nolan and Weerden keeps the squad’s identity intact while adding know-how that can’t be bought.

Palace have shipped 51 goals this season and sit just four points above the relegation places. A settled defence—anchored by Nolan—and a reliable goalscorer in Weerden are non-negotiable if they’re to avoid an immediate return to WSL2.

What comes next

The extended deals buy Palace time to build without the distraction of contract talks. Yañez, Nolan and Weerden now have clear runway to push for minutes and minutes breed consistency. With the transfer window still open, the club may yet add depth, but the core of this side is locked in for two more seasons.

Palace’s next league outing comes in August, when they’ll look to open their top-flight campaign with a statement result. The trio’s fresh contracts give the Eagles a fighting chance to carve out a mid-table foothold in England’s top women’s division.