Matildas Club Tracker: Mackenzie Arnold finds new club after West Ham departure

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has revealed her new club after departing West Ham at the end of last season.

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s future has been revealed with the shot stopper signing with an American club.

Arnold, who captained West Ham’s WSL side in her final of four seasons with the club, has signed with NWSL club Portland Thorns until the end of the 2026 season.

 

There had been rumours the 30-year-old would join Manchester United, who are without a keeper after the departure of Mary Earps. 

 

It is not the first time Arnold has played in the US competition, having previously played for Chicago Stars. 

 

She joins a growing number of Matildas in the league with Cortnee Vine, Kaitlyn Torpey and Emily van Egmond all playing in the competition.

 

Arnold will join with Portland following the Paris Olympics.

 

Portland currently sit fifth on the ladder in the NWSL. 

Last month, West Ham confirmed rumours that Arnold would not be rejoining the WSL side next season.

Arnold had played for the club since 2021, and was promoted to captain in the back of her performance in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make,” Arnold posted on social media of the West Ham departure.

“My time here has helped shape me as a player but also 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 to leave a place that means so much to me.”

Mackenzie Arnold won’t be returning to West Ham United. Picture: Gary Oakley/Getty Images

It means fellow Aussie Katrina Gorry will be the only Matilda left at the club.

Arnold isn’t the only player departing West Ham, who finished 11th in the league with just three wins.

The club also confirmed that Hawa Cissoko, Honoka Hayashi, Risa Shimizu, Emma Snerle and Abbey-Leigh Stringer would leave the side when their contracts expire on June 30.

Mackenzie Arnold

PORTLAND THORNS

Matildas leading shot stopper has confirmed she won’t be returning to West Ham United, finding a new home in the US.

Steph Catley

ARSENAL

Few details of the contract extension Steph Catley signed with Arsenal last year have been revealed but the star defender is expected to be lining back up with the Gunners for the 2024/25 season.

Alanna Kennedy

MANCHESTER CITY

The 29-year-old defender signed a contract extension with Manchester City in 2023 taking her through to 2025. She played 17 matches for City this season, a big improvement on the 2 games she played in an injury hampered 2022/23 season.

Clare Hunt

PSG

The Matildas newcomer signed a deal with French outfit PSG after her breakout 2023 World Cup. Her contract will have her playing at the club until 2026. It has been a good move for the former Western Sydney Wanderers player – who played 13 top flight games and 8 Champions League matches.

Ellie Carpenter

LYON

The 24-year-old speedy defender is locked into playing for Lyon until 2026 after signing a contract extension in 2022. Carpenter played 11 Champions League games for Lyon this season, including in the final which they lost to Barcelona. She also played 17 league games and is expected to be a starter for the French club again this season.

Kaitlyn Torpey

SAN DIEGO WAVE

It has been an insane 12 months for Kaitlyn Torpey. The 24-year-old made the move from Melbourne City to NWSL slide San Diego Wave midway through the A-League's season. She signed a two-year-deal in what was reportedly a record breaking transfer figure for the A-League's’ women’s competition.

Charli Grant

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

While unlucky to not be named in the Olympic squad Grant has taken some big leaps in her career. On the back of the 2023 World Cup Grant made the move from Swedish club Vittsjo GIK to Spurs – signing until 2026. She played eight WSL games for Tottenham this season.

Courtney Nevin

LEICESTER FC

The defender played 16 matches for the Foxes this season and is expected to line up for them again for the 2024/25 season.

Clare Polkinghorne

KRISTIANSTADS DFF

Matildas most capped player Clare Polkinghorne made the move to Swedish club Kristianstads DFF for the 2024 season. Their league runs during the calendar year. She has played nine matches so far this season.

Katrina Gorry looks set to continue at West Ham next season. Picture: Gary Oakley/Getty Images

Katrina Gorry

WEST HAM

Matildas midfield engine joined West Ham in January. The length of her contract was not revealed but it is understood she will be donning the claret and blue for the 2024/25 season.

Clare Wheeler

EVERTON

Olympic debutant Clare Wheeler will be back at Everton this season with her contract signed until June 2025. She has had a standout year in the WSL side playing 22 matches.

Emily van Egmond

SAN DIEGO WAVE

Emily van Egmond is signed to the American club until the 2025 season. This year marks her third season with the club – she has already played 11 games and scored a goal this season.

Kyra Cooney-Cross

ARSENAL

Kyra Cooney-Cross became an instant star following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – landing one of the biggest transfers fees last summer – with her move to Arsenal reportedly worth $270,000 (Aus). She signed a two year deal so will be with the club for at least this coming season.

Tameka Yallop

BRISBANE ROAR

Tameka Yallop is expected to play in the A-League's again this season after signing a “multi-year” deal with Brisbane Roar in 2023. Roar struggled this season but Yallop was a crucial player starring in 20 matches.

Mary Fowler

MANCHESTER CITY

Rising star Mary Fowler will be back at Manchester City this season – she signed a four year deal with the club back in 2022. Fowler’s role at the club is expected to grow next season after a standout year – she scored four goals and registered six assists in her 21 matches. Almost double the number of games she played in the 2022/23 season.

Cortnee Vine is packing her bags for the USA to join the North Carolina Courage. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Cortnee Vine

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

For the first time in her career the speedy winger won’t be playing the A-League’s. Vine has confirmed she will be leaving Sydney FC and joining American NWSL side North Carolina Courage. She has signed a three-year-deal but won’t join the club until after the Olympics.

Hayley Raso

UNKNOWN

Hayley Raso has moved around a bit the last few seasons – playing at Manchester City before moving to Spanish side Real Madrid for the 2022/23 season. Raso confirmed she is set to leave Real Madrid but is yet to announce where she will play this season. Raso scored four goals in her 27 matches for the club.

Sam Kerr

CHELSEA

While still out injured following her ACL rupture Sam Kerr has extended her stay at Chelsea until 2026. She scored four goals in her eight WSL matches before injury in January ruled her out for the rest of the season and the Olympics.

Caitlin Foord

ARSENAL

The Matildas forward extended her stay with Arsenal in 2023 – although it was never reported how long the extension is for. It is understood Foord will line up for Arsenal again this season.

Michelle Heyman will wait until after the Olympics to decide on a club for next season. Picture: DAVID GRAY / AFP

Michelle Heyman

UNKNOWN

Recalled Matildas striker Michelle Heyman was the A-League's’ Women’s golden boot winner. The striker is off contract at Canberra United. Heyman said she had received multiple offers from clubs but was holding off making a decision due to the Olympics.

Teagan Micah 

LIVERPOOL

The 26-year-old Queenslander joined WSL side Liverpool post the 2023 World Cup with the details of the deal undisclosed. It is understood Micah will be back for Liverpool for the upcoming season. She played seven WSL games for Liverpool this year.

Sharn Freier

BRISBANE ROAR

Sharn Freier was named as an alternate player for the Matildas Olympic team after only being called into the squad this season. While currently playing in the NPL for Brisbane City the versatile defender is expected to play for Brisbane Roar this season after penning a “multi-year” deal in 2023.

Lydia Williams

MELBOURNE VICTORY

While set to retire from international duty after the Olympics – fans will still be able to watch Williams in action in the A-League's. She signed a two -year deal with Melbourne Victory, for an undisclosed fee, in 2023.

Jada Whyman

UNKNOWN

Sydney FC star goalkeeper signed a one-year contract with the Sky Blues for the 2023/24 season. The club is yet to announce if Whyman has re-signed.

Originally published as Matildas Club Tracker: Mackenzie Arnold finds new club after West Ham departure