Top tips for women footballers reviewing their contract

Receiving your first professional contract is an exciting milestone and a proud moment; however, the contract terms can sometimes feel daunting. These tips are designed to help women footballers navigate their contracts and have meaningful conversations with their agents and clubs. Agents should help their clients to understand what is standard, and seeking legal advice is always recommended, to ensure the best terms available are negotiated.

Salary and bonuses

Ensure the contract clearly states your base salary, payment schedule (including dates and frequency of payment), and any performance-related bonuses or incentives. For example, bonuses could be awarded for number of appearances, goals, or assists, and promotion or retention (see below for further details). Check carefully whether bonuses are guaranteed, conditional or discretionary.

Contract duration

Check the length of the contract, as well as any options for extension and when these would need to be exercised. Consider whether a shorter contract that provides flexibility, or a longer deal offering more stability, is more appropriate.

Release and automatic renewal clauses

A release clause allows you to transfer to another club if a specific fee is met. You should ensure that any transfer fees should not be set unrealistically high. Be cautious with any automatic renewal clauses, and ensure they require your approval, not just the club’s.

Signing-on bonus

Check whether the contract includes any signing-on bonuses (payments made directly to you upon joining the club) and in particular when they must be paid.

Loyalty payment

Review any loyalty payment clauses that provide additional bonuses for staying with the club for a certain period. These are usually payable at the end of the first season with the club, but this may vary.

Image rights and marketing

This addresses the club’s use of your image and likeness for promotional purposes. Check who retains control over how your images are used, whether you can sign your own sponsors, if the club can restrict deals with any conflicting brands and, importantly, how revenue from appearances is shared.

Medical and injury provisions

Check the provisions for medical treatment and support in case of injury, including rehabilitation and insurance coverage.

Family leave

Provisions for maternity, adoption and parental leave may differ according to league and country, so review your rights under any policies carefully. Confirm paid maternity leave terms, return-to-play protocols, and whether they can release you during this period.  

Termination clauses

Understand the conditions under which the club can terminate your contract and what compensation you are entitled to if the club ends your contract early. In particular, look for whether the club can terminate for disciplinary or performance reasons, and if any protection from release during long-term injury is included. Ensure there are conditions that also allow you to terminate your contract.

Dispute resolution

Ensure there are clear procedures for resolving any disputes that may arise between you and the club, sometimes referred to as arbitration clauses.

Professional development

Look for clauses that support your professional development, such as access to training facilities, coaching, and educational opportunities.

Questions to consider asking about the club’s female-friendly policies

• What are the policies around family leave – maternity, parental, carer and/or adoption leave?
• What are the club’s player welfare policies?
• Does the club have provisions for menstrual health?

Ultimately, a well‑structured contract is the foundation for a player’s stability and long‑term success. From core terms such as salary and duration to personal provisions around family life and wellbeing, every detail will influence a player’s day‑to‑day experience both on and off the pitch. By asking the right questions and taking the time to understand each aspect of the agreement during negotiations, players can ensure they have complete clarity about what their contract entails, allowing them to stay focused on their career and avoid unexpected issues later on.