Katie McCabe, captain of the Republic of Ireland and Arsenal women’s team, will leave Arsenal when her contract expires at the close of the 2025-26 season. She played her final home game on Wednesday in a 1-0 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium and is expected to feature in Arsenal's last league match at Liverpool on May 16, 2026 [1].

McCabe, 30, joined Arsenal in 2015 from Irish club Shelbourne and has since made 305 appearances, scoring 37 goals for the club [1, 2, 3]. She won multiple titles with Arsenal including the Women’s Super League in 2019, the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2025, one FA Cup, three League Cups, and the FIFA Champions Cup [1, 2, 3]. She was named Arsenal’s player of the season in both 2021 and 2023 [1].

Arsenal’s director of women’s football Clare Wheatley praised McCabe, saying: "Over more than a decade at Arsenal, Katie has made a significant and lasting contribution to the history and success of our football club. 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" [1].

This season, McCabe started 17 Women’s Super League games, playing a key role amid a period of transition for Arsenal’s squad [1]. The club is undergoing significant changes with multiple senior players departing, including England forward Beth Mead, Spain defender Laia Codina, and Netherlands midfielder Victoria Pelova [1]. Arsenal confirmed Beth Mead’s exit on May 11, 2026 [2, 3].

Arsenal have plans to lower the squad’s average age and are targeting early recruitment with possible signings such as Spain defender Ona Batlle, England midfielder Georgia Stanway, and Switzerland midfielder Geraldine Reuteler [1]. Reports suggest Manchester City is interested in signing McCabe on a free transfer after her Arsenal contract ends [2, 3].

McCabe’s farewell from Arsenal will culminate with the final WSL match of the season on May 16 at Liverpool’s Anfield, where she is likely to play her last club game [1, 2, 3].