Katie McCabe – Age, Height, Partner, Chelsea Move & More
Katie McCabe, the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland captain, has ended a decorated decade-long spell at Arsenal to join Chelsea on a free transfer. The left-back leaves north London with a trophy collection that includes the Champions League, having made 306 appearances for the club. Her move marks a major shift in the Women’s Super League landscape.
McCabe’s time at Arsenal established her as one of the most recognisable figures in women’s football. Beyond her on-field achievements, her relationship with Australian international Caitlin Foord and a controversial on-field incident have kept her in the headlines. This article examines the key facts, unanswered questions, and the context around her career.
Katie McCabe’s Personal Details: Age, Height, and Background
Katie McCabe
Irish
Chelsea (as of 2026)
Left-back / Midfielder
30 (born 21 Sep 1995)
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
15 (Arsenal), TBD (Chelsea)
Republic of Ireland women’s national team
- Katie McCabe is an Irish international footballer who plays for Chelsea after a decade at Arsenal.
- She is known for her leadership as captain of the Republic of Ireland women’s national team.
- Her relationship with Arsenal teammate Caitlin Foord is a topic of high public interest.
- She was involved in a controversial hair pull incident during a Champions League match, drawing media attention.
- Her transfer to Chelsea in 2026 marked a major move within the WSL.
- She has collected two red cards and approximately 35 yellow cards across her professional club career.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katie Alison McCabe |
| Date of Birth | 21 September 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Kilnamanagh, Ireland |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Position | Left-back / Midfielder |
| Current Club | Chelsea (since 2026) |
| Previous Club | Arsenal (2015–2026) |
| International Caps | 40+ (as of 2025) |
| International Goals | 5+ |
| Shirt Number (Arsenal) | 15 |
Who is Katie McCabe’s Partner? Relationship with Caitlin Foord
Who is Katie McCabe’s partner?
Katie McCabe is in a relationship with Australian international Caitlin Foord, her former teammate at Arsenal. The pair have been together since May 2023, according to multiple reports. Foord, a forward, is reportedly set to renew her contract with Arsenal, while the couple live together in London. Both players are openly lesbian, though they have not issued a joint public statement confirming the relationship.
Is Katie McCabe dating Caitlin Foord?
Yes, that is the widely reported understanding. The connection between McCabe and Foord has been covered by major outlets such as the42, which notes that they have been together since May 2023. The Republic of Ireland captain and the Australian international are frequently mentioned together in coverage of women’s football. Neither player has formally confirmed the relationship in a personal statement, but their status is an open topic among fans and media.
The relationship between McCabe and Foord is one of the most-discussed personal topics in women’s football media. Because both players are prominent figures at Arsenal and on the international stage, their private lives attract significant attention. However, the couple has chosen not to make any official joint announcement, leaving a degree of ambiguity that is typical for athletes who keep their personal lives separate from their professional careers.
Katie McCabe’s Career Move: From Arsenal to Chelsea
Did Katie McCabe join Chelsea?
Yes. McCabe completed a free transfer to Chelsea in June 2026 after her contract at Arsenal expired. She spent over a decade at Arsenal, making 306 appearances and winning every major title, including the Champions League. The move was widely reported by outlets including BBC Sport and the42. The transfer represents a significant shift in the WSL, as McCabe was considered a club legend at Arsenal.
What is Katie McCabe’s Arsenal shirt number?
McCabe wore the number 15 shirt during her time at Arsenal. The Arsenal Player Profile confirms this squad number, which she held for the majority of her tenure at the club. It was a number that became closely associated with her identity as a player in north London.
What number does Katie McCabe wear?
At Arsenal, McCabe wore number 15. As of the available information, her shirt number at Chelsea has not yet been confirmed. The club has not announced squad numbers for the new season at the time of writing, so the number she will wear at Stamford Bridge remains an open question.
While McCabe’s Arsenal number is well-documented (15), the lack of a confirmed Chelsea number is typical during transitional periods in the transfer window. Squad numbers are often announced closer to the start of the competitive season, after registration and kit allocations are finalised. Fans will need to wait for an official Chelsea announcement.
The Katie McCabe Hair Pull Incident: What Happened?
What happened with Katie McCabe’s hair pull?
During Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final win, McCabe was involved in an incident with Chelsea forward Alyssa Thompson. Footage shows McCabe pulling Thompson’s hair. She later apologised, describing it as an accident: she said she “tried to pull the shirt, but pulled Alyssa’s hair instead.” The referee issued a yellow card, although some observers argued that the severity of the foul could have warranted a red card. McCabe’s explanation was shared on her Instagram account.
McCabe’s disciplinary record includes two red cards (one in the 2023/24 season and another on 26 January 2025) and approximately 35 yellow cards across her professional club career. The hair pull incident added to scrutiny around her on-field conduct, though she maintained it was unintentional. No further disciplinary action beyond the yellow card was reported.
What is Katie McCabe’s career timeline?
- – Born in Kilnamanagh, Ireland.
- – Signed for Arsenal.
- – Made senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland.
- – Appointed captain of the Republic of Ireland women’s national team.
- – Began relationship with Caitlin Foord.
- – Involved in hair pull incident during a Champions League match against Chelsea.
- – Transferred to Chelsea on a free transfer, ending a 10-year Arsenal tenure.
- – Set to captain Ireland in the final 2027 World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and France.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Katie McCabe?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Age and birth date (21 September 1995) are confirmed by Wikipedia and multiple sources. | Relationship with Caitlin Foord is widely reported but not officially confirmed by either player in a joint statement. |
| Arsenal career (2015–2026) and shirt number 15 are well-documented. | Exact height is commonly listed as 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) but the provided research does not specify a primary source. |
| Transfer to Chelsea on a free transfer is confirmed by BBC Sport and the42. | Chelsea shirt number has not yet been announced. |
| Hair pull incident with Alyssa Thompson is confirmed by match footage, Instagram post, and media reports. | The exact transfer fee is not applicable since it was a free transfer. |
What does Katie McCabe’s career trajectory tell us?
Katie McCabe has established herself as a central figure in women’s football, known for her versatility as a left-back and midfielder, her leadership as captain of her national team, and her longevity at the highest level. Her decade at Arsenal saw her evolve from a promising signing into a club icon, winning every major trophy available, including the Champions League. Her decision to move to Chelsea, a direct rival, signals her ambition to continue competing at the top while taking on a new challenge. Off the pitch, her relationship with Caitlin Foord has added a layer of public interest, while the hair pull incident has sparked debates about discipline and sportsmanship. Taken together, her career reflects the growing profile of the women’s game and the increasing scrutiny that comes with it.
What do the key sources say about Katie McCabe?
“McCabe said she decided to stay off social media this week after her move from Arsenal to Chelsea was confirmed.”
— BBC Sport
“Player Profile – Name: Katie McCabe, Squad Number: 15, Date of Birth: September 21, 1995, Place of Birth: Kilnamanagh, Ireland.”
“Katie Alison McCabe (born 21 September 1995) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for English Women’s Super League club Chelsea and captains the Republic of Ireland women’s national team.”
— Wikipedia
What is the full picture of Katie McCabe’s career?
Katie McCabe is a 30-year-old Irish international who spent over a decade at Arsenal before moving to Chelsea in 2026. She is the captain of the Republic of Ireland women’s national team, a versatile left-back and midfielder, and a figure whose career spans club success, high-profile relationships, and on-field controversy. Her move to Chelsea represents a new chapter, while her upcoming World Cup qualifiers in July 2026 will provide the next stage for her leadership on the international scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Katie McCabe’s full name?
Katie Alison McCabe.
Where was Katie McCabe born?
She was born in Kilnamanagh, Ireland.
What position does Katie McCabe play?
She primarily plays as a left-back but can also operate as a midfielder.
How many appearances did Katie McCabe make for Arsenal?
She made 306 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions.
What major trophies did Katie McCabe win at Arsenal?
She won every major title with Arsenal, including the Champions League, WSL titles, and domestic cups.
Is Katie McCabe active on social media?
Yes, she has an official Instagram account at @katie_mccabe11 and an X (formerly Twitter) account at @Katie_McCabe11.
What is Katie McCabe’s disciplinary record like?
She has received 2 red cards (2023/24 and January 2025) and approximately 35 yellow cards in her professional club career.
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