Arsenal Ladies captain and former England forward Kelly Smith has signed a contract extension to keep her at the club for at least one more year.

The Watford-born 36-year-old scored 100 goals in 112 appearances between 2005 and 2009 and has enjoyed three spells at Arsenal spanning a total of eight years.

During that time Smith has won 17 major honours including the women’s top domestic league on five occasions and the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2007.

Smith retired from international duty earlier this month, with 117 caps and a record 46 international goals to her name, and will be remembered as one of England’s greatest female players.

Her international career lasted 20 years and included a scoring appearance in the 2009 Women’s European Championships final, where England were beaten 6-2 by Germany.

After starting her out at Wembley Ladies Smith joined Arsenal in 1996 but departed to ply her trade in the United States a year later.

She had brief spells with Seton Hall Pirates, Philadelphia Charge and the New Jersey Wildcats before the W-League folded and she returned to Arsenal.

Her time in the USA proved tough for Smith, who suffered recurring injury problems and developed a drinking problem.

Upon returning to England she got support from Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance clinic and was reinvigorated on and off the pitch, re-joining Arsenal.

It was during this second spell Smith developed into one of the world’s best players and formed an integral part of the Gunners famous quadruple-winning side of 2007.

She further highlighted her importance to Arsenal last year as she scored the opener in their 2-0 triumph over Everton in the Women’s FA Cup final.