Chelsea set to sign McCabe following Arsenal exit

Chelsea set to sign McCabe following Arsenal exitImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Katie McCabe helped Arsenal win the Women's Champions League in 2025ByEmma SandersBBC Sport women’s football news reporterPublished2 minutes agoCommentsChelsea are set to sign Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe following her exit from Arsenal.The 30-year-old left Arsenal after her contract expired, having made 305 appearances during an 11-year spell.She was one of the club's greatest players in the Women's Super League era and helped them win the title in 2019.The versatile full-back, who can also play as a winger or a centre-back, was absent from Arsenal's parade on Sunday to celebrate their Champions Cup win in February.Chelsea have had long-term interest in McCabe and held off competition from WSL champions Manchester City to secure her signature. An approach was made by Chelsea for McCabe in 2015 but she opted to join Arsenal. They reportedly attempted again in 2023 but their bid was rejected.She was offered a late contract renewal by Arsenal in April but decided to pursue other opportunities, with Chelsea and City having made their interest known.McCabe played a key role as Arsenal won the Champions League in 2025 and she also has an FA Cup, three League Cups and one Champions Cup medal.She is now set to join a club who have been one of Arsenal's biggest rivals and who she helped knock out of the Champions League quarter-finals in April.During the second leg of that European tie, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was sent off as she vented her anger at a hair pull on Alyssa Thompson by McCabe.Chelsea won the World Sevens Series on Saturday and Thompson jokingly re-enacted the hair pull scene during their entrance.McCabe's arrival boosts a Chelsea squad bruised from missing out on the WSL title last season and who are still chasing an elusive Champions League trophy.What McCabe's addition means for the squad is unclear, with Real Madri...