Story perspectives

Irish captain Katie McCabe to leave Arsenal after 2025/26 season

5/15/2026

Summary

McCabe Leaves Arsenal

Katie McCabe will leave Arsenal when her contract ends after the 2025/26 season.
She left with 305 appearances, 37 goals and trophies including the UEFA Women’s Champions League (May 2025).
McCabe earned 105 caps, 34 goals for Ireland, captained the 2023 World Cup team and scored versus Canada.
Director Clare Wheatley called her a club legend after her 2023 Ballon d’Or nomination, the first Irish nominee since Roy Keane.

Summary

Arsenal Revamps Squad

Arsenal is entering a transitional year to lower squad’s average age after senior internationals depart.
Forward Beth Mead, defender Laia Codina, midfielder Victoria Pelova and McCabe will leave when their contracts expire.
Arsenal has identified Spanish defender Ona Batlle from Barcelona as a free-agent target.
England midfielder Georgia Stanway and Swiss midfielder Geraldine Reuteler are expected to join Arsenal, the former from Bayern Munich and the latter after leaving Frankfurt.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 Arsenal Women captured their first FA Women’s Cup, the inaugural title under manager Vic Akers. That season coincided with the Football Association taking over the competition, which had been run by the Women’s Football Association since its 1970 launch with 71 entrants. Arsenal’s early success laid the foundation for the club’s record fourteen cup wins.

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McCabe Leaves Arsenal

Katie McCabe will leave Arsenal when her contract ends after the 2025/26 season.
She left with 305 appearances, 37 goals and trophies including the UEFA Women’s Champions League (May 2025).
McCabe earned 105 caps, 34 goals for Ireland, captained the 2023 World Cup team and scored versus Canada.
Director Clare Wheatley called her a club legend after her 2023 Ballon d’Or nomination, the first Irish nominee since Roy Keane.

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