Chelsea set to sign Ireland's Katie McCabe following Arsenal exit

Former Arsenal star Katie McCabe. 

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is set to join Chelsea following her exit from London rivals Arsenal.

McCabe, 30, completed an 11-year spell with the Gunners this summer, making more than 300 appearances and winning all the honours available in the women's game. 

Her contract had expired in north London and while Arsenal offered a renewal late in the day, McCabe opted to look elsewhere. 

Now the BBC reports McCabe will join WSL rivals Chelsea, despite interest from double winners Manchester City. 

The Dubliner was not present at Arsenal's parade on Sunday, where the women's team celebrated their Champions Cup win alongside the men's Premier League celebration.

McCabe was heavily linked with Chelsea in 2023 but Arsenal batted away any interest.  

The two London sides have been locked in a fierce rivalry in recent times, mostly dominated by Chelsea, though Arsenal knocked the Blues out of this year's Champions League in the quarter-finals.

In that match, McCabe was involved in a high-profile controversy when she pulled the hair of Chelsea star Alyssa Thompson but escaped unpunished.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor raged over the incident but the pair have cleared by that behind them

Chelsea won the World Sevens Series on Saturday when Thompson jokingly re-enacted the hair pull.