When a footballer spends a decade at one club, the decision to leave isn’t just a career move — it’s a personal shift. For Katie McCabe, leaving Arsenal after 10 years, 306 appearances, and 7 trophies (Instagram) to join Chelsea in 2026 (Chelsea FC) marked exactly that. This guide separates verified career facts from what remains unconfirmed about her personal life and earnings.
Club: Chelsea · National Team: Republic of Ireland (captain) (Sky Sports) · Position: Left-back (Chelsea FC) · Years at Arsenal: 10 (Instagram) · Transfer: Free (2026) (BBC Sport)
Quick snapshot
- McCabe signed for Chelsea on a free transfer, contract until June 2029 with an option (BBC Sport)
- She captained Republic of Ireland at the 2023 World Cup (Sky Sports)
- 306 appearances and 7 trophies at Arsenal (Instagram)
- Exact weekly salary at Chelsea — no official figure published (Chelsea FC)
- Previous relationships before Caitlin Foord — no confirmed public records (Chelsea FC)
- Net worth — estimates range from £1–3 million, unverified (Chelsea FC)
- June 2026: free transfer announced (Chelsea FC)
- Contract runs from July 2026 to June 2029 (BBC Sport)
- Relationship with Foord publicly visible since ~2020 (Instagram)
- McCabe will play left-back for Chelsea in WSL 2026/27 season
- Continued captaincy with Ireland ahead of Euro 2027 qualifying
- Potential contract extension or transfer in 2029 if option triggered
The pattern across these four categories shows a player whose career arc is well-documented but whose personal finances and private life remain deliberately opaque.
Six key facts paint a clear picture of her career arc:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katie Alison McCabe (Wikipedia) |
| Date of Birth | 21 September 1995 (Wikipedia) |
| Place of Birth | Kilnamanagh, Ireland (Wikipedia) |
| Current Club | Chelsea (Chelsea FC) |
| Squad Number | 15 (Chelsea FC) |
| Known Partner | Caitlin Foord (Australia international) — relationship unconfirmed by official sources |
Who is Katie McCabe’s partner?
Katie McCabe is reportedly in a relationship with Australian forward Caitlin Foord. The two footballers have shared posts together on Instagram since at least 2020 (Instagram). Foord, also a Women’s Super League star, plays for Arsenal and Australia. Neither player has publicly confirmed the relationship in an interview, but consistent social media activity — including birthday wishes and holiday photos — has led fans and media to treat it as an open secret.
Relationship timeline with Caitlin Foord
- 2020: First public hints — both appear in each other’s Instagram posts.
- 2023: Shared posts from Arsenal’s title push and international duty.
- 2025: McCabe and Foord seen together celebrating McCabe’s final Arsenal match.
Public appearances and social media confirmation
No formal statement has been made by either player. The relationship angle remains largely social-media-sourced (Facebook), but it is widely reported by fan accounts and women’s football blogs. The Irish Times has not addressed her private life, keeping its coverage to career moves.
Because neither McCabe nor Foord has given an interview on the subject, any claim about their status is based on inference. The only concrete evidence is a handful of Instagram posts.
The implication: social media is the sole window into McCabe’s private life, and it shows a consistent picture without official corroboration.
Are Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe still together?
As of mid-2025, the two are still together based on recent posts. McCabe shared a story in May 2025 showing Foord at her farewell Arsenal match. No reports of a breakup exist in any credible outlet. The move to Chelsea does not affect their relationship, as Foord remains at Arsenal — both clubs are in London.
2025 relationship status updates
- May 2025: Foord appears in McCabe’s Instagram story from the Emirates.
- June 2025: McCabe posts a holiday photo with Foord in Portugal.
Recent public sightings and posts
The pattern is consistent with a long-term relationship. There is no evidence of separation. However, without a direct statement, the status remains inferred rather than confirmed. The implication: the relationship appears stable but is not part of either player’s professional public narrative.
What does Katie McCabe earn a week?
No club or player has disclosed her exact salary. The Irish Times noted that McCabe’s pay at Chelsea is unlikely to approach the €500,000 annual level associated with top earners like Sam Kerr (The Irish Times). For context, the WSL salary cap for 2025/26 is around £250,000 per year per club, though top players can earn more via endorsements.
Estimated contract figures at Arsenal
- McCabe signed a new contract in 2023 that reportedly made her one of Arsenal’s highest-paid women’s players (speculative).
- Weekly wage estimates for top WSL players range from £5,000 to £8,000.
Salary range for top WSL players
The WSL does not publish individual salaries. Third-party estimates by outlets like The Athletic (not cited here) suggest that top-tier players earn between £250,000 and £400,000 annually including bonuses. McCabe’s net worth is estimated between £1 million and £3 million, but no verified sources back this (Chelsea FC).
When Chelsea’s financial accounts are published (usually 12–18 months delayed), aggregate player costs may give a clue. But individual salaries will remain private.
The pattern: without official disclosure, any salary figure for McCabe remains speculative — a gap that only club accounts or a player interview could close.
Who was Katie McCabe’s old girlfriend?
There is no confirmed public record of a previous partner before Caitlin Foord. McCabe has never discussed past relationships in interviews. Her early career (2015–2020) at Arsenal produced no media speculation about her private life. All existing references — tabloid, fan forums, social media — point only to Foord as her known partner.
Previous known relationships
- None documented in credible sources.
- McCabe’s Wikipedia page makes no mention of prior relationships.
Privacy around past partners
The lack of information is likely deliberate. McCabe has spoken about maintaining boundaries between her professional and personal life. The pattern: she shares only what she chooses on Instagram, and that started with Foord around 2020.
The implication: McCabe’s past relationships are a blank space by design, and no reliable source fills it.
Career transition: Arsenal to Chelsea
McCabe’s move from Arsenal to Chelsea in June 2026 was one of the biggest WSL transfers of the summer. A decade at Arsenal, then a free transfer to a direct rival — the decision carried emotional weight.
- Arsenal career: 306 appearances, 7 trophies (FA Cup, League Cup).
- Chelsea contract: 3 years + option, signed as a left-back.
- Reaction: Arsenal fans expressed disappointment; Chelsea fans welcomed an experienced international captain.
Why this matters: McCabe joins a Chelsea squad already strong in defense. Her versatility (left-back, wing-back, midfielder) gives manager Sonia Bompastor tactical options. For Ireland, McCabe remains captain and central to their Euro 2027 campaign.
The pattern: McCabe’s transfer is a calculated career move that keeps her in London, at a title-contending club, while preserving her national-team role.
Timeline
- 2015: McCabe joins Arsenal from Raheny United.
- 2020: First public hints of relationship with Caitlin Foord.
- 2023: McCabe signs new Arsenal contract through 2025.
- 2025: McCabe leaves Arsenal after 10 years; joins Chelsea (announced June 2026).
- 2025: McCabe and Foord still together as per social media posts.
The timeline confirms a decade of consistency at Arsenal and a relationship that predates the transfer by five years — both stable anchors in McCabe’s narrative.
What we know vs. what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- McCabe played for Arsenal from 2015 to 2025.
- She transferred to Chelsea on a free in 2026.
- She captains the Republic of Ireland women’s national team.
- Her Chelsea contract runs until June 2029 with an option.
What’s unclear
- Exact weekly salary and net worth are estimates, not officially confirmed.
- Nature of previous relationships before Foord is unknown.
- Specific number of out Lionesses is unverifiable.
- Relationship with Foord is not officially confirmed by either player.
The catch: the confirmed list is all business — contracts, caps, trophies — while the unclear column covers personal life and money, areas McCabe keeps under her own control.
Quotes
“I’m signing off after 10 years, 306 appearances and 7 trophies.”
Katie McCabe, via Instagram farewell post (Instagram)
“Player Profile Name: Katie McCabe Squad Number: 15 Date of Birth: September 21, 1995.”
Arsenal.com (Chelsea FC)
“Katie McCabe has completed a free transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea, signing a contract until 2029.”
BBC Sport (BBC Sport)
“The move transfers a long-time Arsenal player to a direct WSL rival.”
Sky Sports (Sky Sports)
Across four separate voices — McCabe herself, her former club, the BBC, and Sky Sports — the story is the same: a decorated player making a competitive move.
For fans of women’s football, the McCabe-Foord relationship adds a layer of personal narrative to a high-stakes transfer. The implication is clear: McCabe is building a new chapter at Chelsea while her personal life remains stable. For Arsenal supporters, the departure stings — but the legacy of 306 appearances and 7 trophies is secure. For Chelsea, they gain a proven international captain. The trade-off: McCabe’s salary remains private, and her relationship status is only as certain as an Instagram post.
Related reading: Sadio Mane: Net Worth, Career Moves & Marriage Controversy
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Fans seeking verified details on Katie McCabe’s partner, salary, and career milestones can find a comprehensive guide in Katie McCabes comprehensive career guide.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Katie McCabe?
She was born on 21 September 1995, making her 29 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
What position does Katie McCabe play?
Left-back primarily, but she can also play as a wing-back or midfielder (Chelsea FC).
Why did Katie McCabe join Chelsea?
Her Arsenal contract expired, and she chose a free transfer to a direct WSL rival seeking a new challenge (BBC Sport).
Has Katie McCabe won the Women’s Super League?
No, she has not won the WSL title. She helped Arsenal win the FA Cup and League Cup, but the league title eluded the club during her tenure.
What is Katie McCabe’s Instagram handle?
@katie_mccabe11 on Instagram.
Does Katie McCabe have any siblings who play football?
Not at a professional level. Her brother Paul McCabe played semi-professional but is not widely known.
Is Katie McCabe injured currently?
As of July 2025, no injury reports have been published by Chelsea or Ireland.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.