Beth Mead to leave Arsenal after nine seasons

Beth Mead, the England international forward, will depart Arsenal at the end of her contract this summer after nine seasons with the club. Arsenal announced the departure on Monday, alongside those of defender Laia Codina and midfielder Victoria Pelova.

Mead, who turned 31 last Saturday, made 265 appearances and scored 86 goals for Arsenal since joining from Sunderland in 2017. During her time there, she helped the team win one Women's Super League title, three League Cups, a FIFA Champions Cup and the Champions League in 2025. In the Champions League final against Barcelona last May, Mead delivered the assist for Stina Blackstenius's match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

The Whitby-born player first gained prominence at Sunderland, where she scored 66 goals in 88 games over five years, including 23 in 23 during her debut season in the second-tier FA Women's Premier League. In 2015, at age 20, she became the youngest winner of the WSL Golden Boot.

Mead's international career includes starring roles for England. She earned UEFA Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot honors at the 2022 European Championship, which the Lionesses won for their first major trophy. She also received...