'Club legend' Katie McCabe to leave Women's Super League club Arsenal

McCabe has been at Arsenal since 2015, although she spent 2017 on loan to Glasgow. She has made 305 appearances for the club, scoring 37 goals across all competitions. 

The 30-year-old’s next move is unclear, but she departs with a hatful of medals to her name, including one FA Cup, one Woman's Super League title, three League Cups, one UEFA Women’s Champions League and one FIFA Champions Cup. 

The full back has twice been voted Arsenal’s player of the season. 

McCabe also captains her country. She has amassed105 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring 34 goals, including their first in a World Cup.

”Over more than a decade at Arsenal, Katie has made a significant and lasting contribution to the history and success of our football club,” said Clare Wheatley, Arsenal’s Director of Women’s Football.

”Katie has led with passion and commitment, giving everything for the badge and forging a special bond with our supporters.

”She departs as a club legend and we are so proud of our shared journey together.”

Arsenal lie second in the WSL, behind Manchester City. They were beaten in the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals by OL Lyonnes, and thus will end the season without silverware, having also exited the FA Cup, losing to Brighton & Hove Albion.

McCabe’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

"I've gone back and forth on how to write this because honestly, it's a huge chapter of my life that's closing and there are so many people and moments that mean so much to me," McCabe wrote on social media.

"I arrived at Arsenal as a young girl from Dublin in 2015, not really knowing what to expect - just knowing I wanted to be here. Over time it became so much more than football. It became home.

"I grew up here, I built something to be proud of here. I've achieved every major trophy here, and it has shaped me as a player and as a person...

"Winning the Champions League is something I genuinely don't think anything will ever top. If 10-year-old me could see what this journey became, she'd be so proud.

"To say I've won it all here means so much to me. And I want to be an example to girls everywhere that if I can win it all, no dream is too big for you."

McCabe continued to explain how bringing the Champions League trophy home and parading it in front of Arsenal's fans was one of her "happiest" moments, and something she will "never forget."

She is not the only big name on the market this summer, with news breaking earlier that Sam Kerr is to leave Chelsea at the end of the season as well.

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