Hayley Lauder may have experienced and achieved more than most throughout her career, including winning 10 trophies with Glasgow City, but she is far from done yet.
The 34-year-old midfielder has penned a one-year contract extension which will keep her at the club, where she has spent over a decade, until the summer of 2026.
Since joining the club in 2014, Lauder has established herself as a formidable force in every City side she has played in. The drive she had upon arriving is still as strong now, and that is why she has decided to extend her stay with us.
But it is not just on the pitch where the Scotland international looks to contribute. As a senior player in the squad, she takes on the responsibility of sharing the club’s values.
“The driving factor for me is how can I impact the team,” Lauder tells us. “Over the years, how I can affect the group off the pitch as well as on it has been huge to me. It’s something that I really pride myself on.
“I want to be there for the girls and pass on the experience that I have.
“I want to be better constantly. I want to evolve as both a person and as a player. Whatever my role is within the team and the club, I'll always do it to the best of my ability.”
To have such a strong desire to get better reflects Lauder’s character. Despite being capped by her national team over 100 times, winning every domestic trophy in Scotland and playing UEFA Champions League football, she believes there are still new levels in her game to be found.
This attitude likely stems from the fact that adapting and evolving have been a constant thread throughout her career. Her versatility is again a defining attribute our No.4 offers.
“I came here and signed as a winger,” Lauder explains. “Which might be hard for some of our newer fans to believe!
“I adapted to playing more of a central role under Scott Booth, and now I’m probably playing a lot deeper than I have ever played. It’s just about adapting and trying to learn new things and new skillsets.
“That is why I want to be here. The learning doesn’t stop. I feel like I can contribute and still learn. That is a nice feeling.
“In this environment, the people here understand me as a player and as a person. I understand the club, how it works, and the expectations. It’s a good fit.”
As we talk, the passion Lauder has for the game and her team shines through. The impact she has on the pitch is obvious to anyone who watches City play, but she details what it means to contribute off it.
When you spend as long at a club as Lauder, its values and identity start to feel like your own. Part of her role, she says, is to help impart that on our club’s newer representatives.
“It is crucial,” Lauder says. “We have always had that at City. There has always been a core group each season who understands the culture and values of the club and imparts that on the other players.
“And likewise, I have learned so much from the other players coming in from abroad and from the young players coming through from the Academy.
“I’m always trying to evolve my leadership skills, and I think it’s crucial that it works both ways.”
A driving force on and off the pitch, Lauder’s passion, leadership, and experience have helped shape this team for over a decade. And with more still to give, we’re delighted she’s staying with us.