Ella Toone has shared an emotionally charged message after Manchester United Women captain Katie Zelem confirmed her exit from Old Trafford.
Katie Zelem spent her youth career with Manchester United before she signed for Liverpool in 2013 due to the lack of a women’s team at the Red Devils.
The 28-year-old midfielder went on to play for Juventus Women before she returned to Old Trafford in 2018 after United Women were reformed.
Zelem had been a mainstay at United Women and was part of the team that won the FA Women’s Championship in the 2018-19 season.
Following United Women’s promotion to the WSL, Zelem was promoted to the captaincy after Alex Greenwood left the club and signed for Lyon Women.
Zelem captained her side to the Women’s FA Cup trophy last season after United Women secured a thumping 4-0 win over Tottenham Women.
The England Women international signed off her time at the club with the second most appearances behind United Women teammate Ella Toone.
Zelem is also ranked third in the all-time goalscoring chart for United Women, with Leah Galton in second place and Toone as the club’s record scorer.
Zelem on her Man Utd Women exit
Manchester United’s official website on Thursday confirmed that Katie Zelem would leave the club this summer on a free once her contract expires.
Zelem is among the high-profile Manchester United Women stars leaving this summer, with Mary Earps tipped to sign for Paris Saint-Germain on a free.
Lucia Garcia, who scored a brace in the Women’s FA Cup final in May, also left United Women and signed for Mexican side Monterrey on a free transfer.
Zelem took to Instagram and shared a heartfelt message after confirming the end of her six-year stay at the Red Devils.
She wrote: “WOW, what a journey!
“From signing in the championship to captaining my childhood club in the first ever champions league [sic] game. Words don’t do justice for the unimaginable dreams, that I have been able to achieve here.
“From first pulling on the kit at 8 years old, I had no idea where this journey would take me. Lifting the FA cup with Manchester United is and will forever be, one of my favourite moments of my career.
“The players I’ve met over these 6 years are nothing short of remarkable. When times were tough, it was always the players who stuck together and pulled each other through – that’s what made this team so special.
“Thank you to everyone who resolutely supported me over the years. Your unwavering support didn’t go unnoticed and for that I’ll be forever grateful.
“For 6 years I gave everything possible to Manchester United, both on and off the pitch. For me, now is the right time for a new challenge and I’m looking forward to my next chapter.”
Man Utd Women star Toone sends Zelem message
Zelem received a flood of tributes after she made her post on Instagram, including from former United Women manager Casey Stoney.
Casey Stoney, who managed San Diego Wave after her spell with United Women, congratulated Zelem on her career and wished her the best of luck.
“Congratulations on all your achievements! Good luck on whatever comes next,” she wrote.
Ella Toone, who played alongside Zelem for club and country, called the United Women captain ‘one of the OGs’ in her response to the social media post.
She wrote: “One of the OGs, thanks for all the laughs and all the memories Zel [and] for all the fight you gave on [and] off the pitch!! We will miss you xx [sic].”
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