Arsenal confirm 20yo defender to leave this summer | OneFootball

Arsenal have confirmed that Teyah Goldie, one of the most promising defenders to emerge from the club’s academy in recent years, will depart at the end of the season upon the expiry of her contract.

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Goldie joined Arsenal at just six years old in 2011, progressing through every stage of the club’s youth system. Her senior debut came in April 2021, aged 16, during a 10–0 FA Cup win over Gillingham. She featured again that same month in the Women’s Super League, becoming one of the youngest players to represent Arsenal in the professional era.

Her technical quality, calmness in possession, and defensive intelligence quickly marked her out as one to watch. Primarily a centre-back but comfortable across the back line, Goldie’s maturity and spatial awareness made her stand out in both youth internationals and early senior appearances. She was widely seen as a future mainstay for both club and country before injuries halted her momentum.

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In January 2022, Goldie joined Watford on a dual-registration deal, but her time there was cut short by a serious knee injury. She later suffered a second significant setback, stalling her development at a key stage. After an extended rehabilitation, she returned to action and joined London City Lionesses on loan for the 2024–25 season, where she played a central role in their Women’s Championship title-winning campaign.

In total, Goldie made six senior appearances for Arsenal. Under Renee Slegers, her exit comes during a period of transition for the club, who also confirmed the departures of Lina Hurtig and Amanda Ilestedt in separate announcements today.

Arsenal issued a brief statement thanking her for her time: “Everyone at Arsenal Football Club thanks Teyah for her efforts during her time with us and we wish her well for her next chapter.”

It is understood that London City Lionesses, who have secured promotion to the Women’s Super League, are keen to make her stay permanent.

The club’s owner Michelle Kang, who also owns Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais, is believed to be personally invested in bringing Goldie in as part of an ambitious squad-building project.

For Goldie, it offers the chance to re-establish herself at senior level after injury-disrupted years, with the opportunity for regular, settled football now within reach.