Beth Mead will leave Arsenal after nine years when her contract expires this summer. The England forward has made 265 appearances and scored 86 goals since joining from Sunderland, winning a WSL title, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Champions Cup while at the club.

Mead, a fan favourite, played an important role in Arsenal’s second European title last May . Her clever pass created the only goal for fellow substitute, Stina Blackstenius, against Barcelona in the Lisbon final.

Arsenal’s director of women’s football, Clare Wheatley, said Mead “will go down in history as one of our best forwards and a legend of the club. Beth is such a special person and will always be welcome at Arsenal.…