The defender, who joined the Light Blues in the summer of 2024, becomes the fourth player to sign an extension recently as Leanne Crichton’s squad takes shape for the new season.
A Northern Ireland international, she arrived at the Gers two summers ago with significant experience at both club and country level, often captaining her national side on occasion.
Her senior career began at Chelsea 12 years ago, before she spent part of 2016 on loan at Oxford United.
Rafferty then enjoyed four years on the books of Brighton and Hove Albion, making the loan switch to Women’s Super League side, Bristol City, throughout the 2020/21 campaign.
She would return to where her youth career began at Southampton the following campaign, helping the Saints into the second tier of English football as a regular fixture in the side.
In her first season in Scottish football, Rafferty featured on 28 occasions, which included 20 starts. Battling with spells on the sidelines through injury throughout, she scored her first goal for the club in a victory over Montrose in September 2024, before going on to be part of the side that won a domestic cup double for the second campaign running.
During the current campaign, the centre-back has battled with injuries, having recovered from a long-standing groin problem that saw her out of action for six months before returning in November, her first time in the squad since the Scottish Cup final last season.
Her appearances have been limited throughout since the turn of the year, making 15 in total, as she looks to regain full fitness for the beginning of the club’s pre-season schedule following this Sunday’s Old Firm cup final.
Speaking after signing her new deal, Rafferty said: “I am over the moon, I love playing for this club, and I love being a part of where we have been and where we want to go.
“It is a massive thing for me to stay here, I think there is no better feeling, and I am looking forward to ending this season hopefully with some silverware and going forward to our next journey too.”
Women’s Head Coach, Leanne Crichton, added: “I am delighted we have been able to secure Raff to a new contract.
“She is a player of real quality and influence, and her experience and understanding of the game are invaluable within this group.
“We have a young squad, therefore having someone of Raff’s calibre and experience is vital. The respect she commands from her teammates comes not only from everything she has achieved throughout her career, but also from the standards she sets every single day.
“We are thrilled she will continue to play a key role in the future of this football club.”
Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director, Donald Gillies, also said: “We are thrilled to have secured Laura on a new deal.
“She is someone who has shown her qualities both on and off the park since joining the club two years ago.
“Laura has been unfortunate this past year with a few significant injuries for the first time in her career. The way she has applied herself to return to fitness each time has been a great example to others around her.
“Her experience is invaluable to the team, and she is one of the leaders of what is a very young squad.”
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