Catheter assembly (10) comprises catheter (22), needle (12) having sharp distal tip disposed in catheter (22), catheter hub (14) housing catheter (22) and needle (12), catheter hub (14) having collar (34) including notch (36), needle shield (20) connected to catheter hub (14) when needle (12) is in first position, and clip (40) disposed in needle shield (20) that cooperates with needle (12), wherein clip (40) engages catheter hub (14) in first position of needle (12), and clip (40) disengages catheter hub (14) via notch (36) when needle (12) is retracted to second position to enclose at least portion of needle (12). Clip (40) is mounted in outer housing (38) of needle shield (20) via spade (66) having outer wall (70) exposed to outside of needle shield (20), in order to reduce overall width of needle shield (20).