Matildas star goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold makes difficult decision about her career just weeks before the start of the Olympics
- Major setback for World Cup star just before the Games in Paris
- Arnold said the decision to leave West Ham was difficult
- Arnold has been one of the club’s best players lately
Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold will leave her London club West Ham after making “one of the toughest decisions” of her life.
Arnold, 30, has been with West Ham since 2020 but many speculated she would leave after being absent from the club’s upcoming tour of Australia.
This leaves Arnold without a club as the Matildas prepare for their first Olympic competition later this month.
In a statement on Instagram, the Women’s World Cup star revealed how difficult the decision to leave was.
“This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make and I wanted the opportunity to say goodbye in a proper way, but also to reflect on the wonderful time I had at the famous Claret & Blue,” Arnold wrote.
‘It’s been almost four years since I arrived at Chadwell Heath and it didn’t take long for me to realise how special this club was and how much I felt at home in East London.
‘I have been fortunate to play football in many different countries, but I am so grateful to have had this chapter at a club that means so much to me.
‘West Ham will always have a special place in my heart, forever Claret & Blue.’
Matildas hero Mackenzie Arnold (pictured) will leave West Ham after making ‘one of the toughest decisions’ of her life
Arnold is now without a club as the Matildas prepare for their first Olympic competition
Arnold’s announcement drew a strong response from her Australian teammates, including sidelined striker Sam Kerr who left three messages.
“Wait wtf,” she posted, before adding: “What happened to London girlz 4eva?”
Kerr then posted, “I love you, you gotta do what you gotta do, baby.”
It is not known where Arnold will move to, although there has previously been interest from Manchester United.
The news comes just a week after Matildas teammate Hayley Raso announced she had been dumped by football giants Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old is now looking for a new team after telling her fans the sad news in an Instagram post.
It’s not yet known where Arnold will land next, but she should be getting plenty of offers
Raso made history as the first Australian to play for the world-famous club and has been dropped due to restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed to star in the Spanish women’s league.
She will be one of the brightest talents for the Matildas in Paris after being named in coach Tony Gustavsson’s squad earlier this month.
With the side already missing captain Sam Kerr through injury, Raso is one of the team’s key players as they also sweat on the fitness of Katrina Gorry and striker Caitlin Foord.