Shaw was Bordeaux’s leading goal scorer with 22 goals that saw her win the Golden Boot in the Division 1 Féminine, leading her side to a third-place finish and a place in the Champions League.
Media reports in April suggested that the 24-year-old forward was close to signing a deal with Manchester City in the Women’s Super League. The player also asked to be excused from national duties while Jamaica participates in the ongoing WNT Summer Series in the United States.
The Reggae Girlz defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday thanks to a 51st-minute goal from Deneisha Blackwood.
According to the Jamaica Football Federation, Shaw asked for time to recover from an intense season and to consider her future. Based on an Instagram post this morning, she seemed to have come to a decision.
“I would like to start by saying thank you to FC Girondins de Bordeaux for giving me the opportunity to grow and become a better footballer. Thank you to my teammates and staff for making me feel at home since I arrived. I take with me two years of memories, lessons and amazing moments.
“Lastly, the fans, your never-ending love and support have always pushed me to go the extra distance. You were instrumental in our achievement, especially this season. I have no doubt that the club will continue to progress and reap deserving success. All the best and good luck for the future.”
Shaw signed her first professional contract in June 2019, when she signed a two-year deal with Bordeaux following an outstanding collegiate career playing for the University of Tennessee and a brief spell with semi-professional side Florida Krush.
Shaw has scored 42 goals for Jamaica and led them to qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Shaw, 24, arrives from Bordeaux in France where she scored 22 goals to win the Golden Boot Award in the Women’s First Division.
“It feels amazing to be a Manchester City player. I chose this club because I want to be a part of the environment, the culture and to play for this amazing team,” she said. “I want to be tested and there is so much experience in the team here, so I know I will learn a lot from everybody around me. I grew up as a City fan, and I even have some family members who live in Manchester. When I told them about my move, they were so happy and excited.”
Goal.com had reported in April that the player was close to a deal with Manchester City, which was looking to add depth to their forward pool and provide their head coach with different tactical options.
The player took to Instagram last week to announce that she was leaving Bordeaux but there was no confirmation as to where she was headed.
That confirmation came today with the club’s announcement.
Naturally, head coach Gareth Taylor was delighted with the signing and welcomed the Jamaicans to the club, who plays in the Women’s Super League in England.
"She's enjoyed a successful couple of years in France with Bordeaux and the fact that she finished as the league's top scorer this past campaign speaks volumes about the calibre of player that she is,” he said. “Her form on the international stage is incredibly impressive too and we're very much looking forward to working with her over the coming seasons."
The forward arrives from Bordeaux after scoring 22 goals in 20 league
The PA news agency understands the 44-year-old is joining the first-team set-up on an informal basis, working with the squad a couple of times a week, and will be in the technical area for next Monday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium.
Smith has been working at Arsenal’s girls’ academy while completing her A License with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Back where she belongs ?
Club legend Kelly Smith joins our coaching staff until the end of the season ? pic.twitter.com/Efr0mXmjPN
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 26, 2023
Across three spells playing for the Gunners, from 1996 to when she retired in 2017, Smith scored 125 goals in 144 appearances and helped them claim a glut of silverware.
That included winning a quadruple in 2007, with her having netted 30 goals in 34 games across the four competitions.
She also scored 46 times for England – a record Lionesses haul until Ellen White surpassed it in November 2021 – and played for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.
Smith told the Times: “After speaking with (Arsenal manager) Jonas (Eidevall) and Clare (Wheatley, the club’s head of women’s football) it was a really easy decision to join the coaching set-up here.
“The club have been really supportive in helping me complete my A License and take the next step in my own post-playing career.
“It’s an exciting time to become part of this team – we’ve seen over the past few weeks just how resilient and together they are and I’m look forward to working with them more closely on and off the pitch at this key point in the season.
“I love this club and it’s such a great feeling to be wearing the Arsenal badge once more.”
Eidevall’s side, who won the Continental Tyres League Cup last month, drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Wolfsburg tie last weekend, fighting back after going 2-0 down. They are currently fourth in the WSL table, six points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.
Shaw scored in the 63rd minute after England international Georgia Stanway opened the scoring in the eighth minute.
After the result, Shaw’s Manchester City Women find themselves fourth in the WSL table with 35 points from 18 matches, the same as Manchester United Women who are ahead of them in third on goal difference.
Chelsea Women lead the league with 41 points from 17 matches while Arsenal Women lie second with 40 points from 17 outings.
Shaw will next be in action for the Reggae Girlz on April 9th and 12th when they take on the Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic in CONCACAF Women’s Championship Qualifying.
