Mackenzie Arnold and Hayley Raso have both officially left West Ham United and Real Madrid following the conclusion of their respective contracts on June 3.
The Hammers confirmed Matildas goalkeeper Arnold’s departure on Sunday, alongside five other players following a disappointing Women’s Suer League campaign where they finished 11th of 12 teams.
Manchester United previously showed some interest in the 30-year-old shot-stopper who had joined the Hammers in 2020. England international keeper Mary Earps is leaving Old Trafford, having been linked with PSG.
Arnold confirmed her exit on Instagram, writing: “This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make and I wanted to have the opportunity to say goodbye properly, whilst also looking back on the incredible time I have had in the famous Claret & Blue. It’s been nearly four years to the day since I arrived at Chadwell Heath and it didn’t take me long to realise how special this club was and how at home I felt in east London.
“My time here has helped to shape me as a player but also, more importantly, as a person and I have a lot to thank West Ham for that. I want you to know how difficult a decision it has been for me to leave a place that means so much to me. I am a proud Aussie, but there is no question that, in east London, I have found a place where I will always call home.
“I have been lucky enough 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 hold a special place in my heart, forever Claret & Blue.”
View this post on Instagram
Raso’s Real Madrid departure was confirmed last week, with the Matildas winger spending only 12 months with the Spanish powerhouse following her switch from Manchester City.
“What an honour it’s been to wear the white shirt. Thank you @realmadrid, my teammates, the staff, the club and the fans that welcomed me with open arms,” Raso wrote on X.
“I will continue to hold you all dear in my heart. This little Aussie girl could never have dreamed of this. In saying that, I have learnt in my career, that football doesn’t always work out the way we plan and due to the limit on foreign players in Spain, it’s time for a new adventure.
“The friendships I’ve made, I’ll carry with me for a lifetime. Muchas gracias por todo. Hala Madrid, siempre.”
1. What an honour it’s been to wear the white shirt. Thank you @realmadrid, my teammates, the staff, the club and the fans that welcomed me with open arms. I will continue to hold you all dear in my heart. This little Aussie girl could never have dreamed of this. In saying that.. pic.twitter.com/8PsKk0LnAu
— Hayley Raso (@HayleyRaso) June 23, 2024
On the field in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan on Sunday, Aivi Luik returned for the first time since a hamstring injury sustained in March in BK Hacken’s 0-0 draw with Kristianstad.
Luik was injected into the game in the 27th minute following an injury to teammate Anna Sandberg and played the rest of the contest in defence.
Clare Polkinghorne played a full game for Kristianstad who are fourth after 12 games, while Hacken are second having played two more games.
In USA’s NWSL on Saturday, Emily van Egmond put in a full shift and Kaitlyn Torpey was a 76th minute substitute for San Diego Wave in a 3-0 home defeat to Chicago Red Stars.
