Jackie Groenen: "I've found a second family here"

Jackie, do you have any announcements to make?

"I've decided to extend my contract here at Paris! I'm really proud and really happy to be staying here, and I'm going to give everything for the club. Everything here is geared towards improving, both for me and for the team. I feel good here. I've found a second family here with the girls and with the club, so staying put wasn't a choice but the natural next step for me."

What pushed you to stay here?

"The girls, the club... When I turn up to training, I feel good! I'm myself. I really am close to the girls and to the club. I'm really happy to have a job like this one! In fact, football isn't a job for me; it's a passion. There are a lot of opportunities here. The club is helping women's football to move forward, and all of the girls here have their minds set on improving together. Personally, I think that my game has progressed in various ways. Constantly progressing is important to me, and everything is in place here for that to happen."

It feels like you're genuinely happy in Paris!

"It really is my second home. I feel good here, both at the club and in Paris. When you feel good in your everyday life, it shows on the pitch. The key word for me is progression, both for myself and for the club. We're always looking to improve here, so I'm happy to be staying at Paris and to have the chance to watch and be a part of everyone's progression."

This contract extension is also a great show of faith from the club…

"Of course! Feeling good is always important in order to play well for your club out on the pitch. I'm really happy that Paris Saint-Germain has given me the chance to keep improving here. It's always important when your club wants you to stay with them. So, when the chance to stay here came up, it wasn't a difficult decision to make!"

You're one of the most experienced players in the squad...

"I'm hoping to contribute my experience. It's important to me that the younger players feel good within the team and that everyone gets along with each other. I'm also hoping to contribute my experience on the pitch. I like football, so it's easy for me to give everything for the team and for the club. When the club is happy, I'm happy!"

How is pre-season going?

"I often haven't had the chance to be a part of pre-season because I've often had a tournament to play in with my national team. This is a chance to see how the team is progressing, and the tour of Australia will give us the opportunity to spend time together both on and off the pitch. It's a good thing for the team to get to go to Australia, to spend several days together and to get to know each other even more."

A new contract, a new season and a new manager in Fabrice Abriel! How did your initial discussions go?

"We talked to each other, and I got a good feeling from him. He's a former player, and I think that I can learn a lot from him. I'm happy to have a new experience and to find out about his vision of football, and I'm glad that he came here. We'll see how this season goes, but I'm really confident. I think that we really stepped up and improved last season, and now, it's time to take that final step. Everything is in place for us to improve and to do that. I'm really optimistic because with the new coaching staff and the players that we have, we can do great things this year."