Arsenal Women right-back Leonie Maier is to leave the club with her contract expiring this summer. The German international joined the Gunners on a two-year deal in the summer of 2019 but has struggled to pin down a place since joining from Bayern Munich.
The 28-year old played 25 games across two seasons in North London, she is still a mainstay of the German national team and revealed herself as a future star in Germany’s victorious Euro 2013 campaign. Leonie also has an Olympic gold medal which she picked up at the games in Rio in 2016.
With Noelle Maritz, Lisa Evans and Anna Patten in the squad, it’s unlikely that Arsenal will look to source a replacement at right-back though that, of course, is contingent on the new manager, whoever that may be.
Maier confirmed the news on her Instagram account today, writing, “Thank you for everything and for an unforgettable time!
“I will leave Arsenal. I am thankful and happy that I was part of this amazing club. I have had a really good time and have met so many great people and it was a pleasure to work with so many talented players. And also a big thank you to the coaches,the staff and the fans who always backed us no matter what.
“I wish the whole team all the best for the future and I gonna miss you but all the nice memories will always stay in my mind.”
Leonie has a fabulous engine and can run flat out all day as I remember she did in that pre-season friendly against the Spuds in blazing sunshine and 30 degree temperature. Unfortunately, I always felt she was a little lightweight in defence for the WSL without the necessary grit of Noelle or Lisa or physical presence of Anna.
I hope Leonie finds somewhere to be successful for a few more years yet.
Well said.
Very well said indeed
Total agreement although I thought she was also a little unlucky with an injury (there’s a surprise!)she picked up a couple of months after she signed and never really got established as first choice when she came back.
Never let the side down and always carried a nice smile with her.
Good luck for your future Leonie.
Best of luck, Leonie, and thank you.
I see Brighton are having a huge clear out but the only player that may have been of interest, Kaagman, is being asked to stay!