Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe says she is excited for the next step in her career after swapping the red of Arsenal for the blue of Women's Super League (WSL) rivals Chelsea.
McCabe was a free agent this summer after her contract with the Gunners expired. The Dubliner made over 300 appearances for the north London giants after arriving from Shelbourne in 2015, winning the Women's Champions League last year and the WSL in 2019.
In January 2023 Chelsea made an offer believed to be in the region of £250,000 for the 105-cap international that was knocked back by Arsenal.
We've got McCabe. Katie McCabe.
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) June 1, 2026
Now the Blues have gotten their target on a free transfer, with McCabe signing a three-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.
"It's a new chapter in my career," the 30-year-old said. "This is something that I feel I'm ready for right now. I'm really excited to get going and show the Chelsea fans how ready I am to perform for the badge.
"I'm so looking forward to walking out at Stamford Bridge as a home player, being around the fan base and competing for trophies on all fronts.
"This club has been successful for so many years. I want to keep pushing and driving that, and for me, it's about bringing that success back to Chelsea."
McCabe was involved in a flashpoint against Chelsea in early April.
Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor was left unimpressed after McCabe pulled the ponytail of forward Alyssa Thompson towards the end of their Champions League quarter-final second leg clash, the Gunners prevailing 3-2 on aggregate.
McCabe later claimed on Instagram that she was "genuinely" reaching for Thompson's shirt, offering her opponent "full respect", but Bompastor felt the episode deserved a review by the match officials.
However there is clearly much admiration for her talents, with McCabe now joining a winning machine: Chelsea have claimed six of the last seven WSL titles, being dethroned this year by Manchester City.
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