Matildas star goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold makes difficult decision about her career just weeks before the start of the Olympics

 Big blow for the World Cup star just before Paris Games Arnold said decision to leave West Ham was toughArnold has been one of the club's best players recently

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold will leave her London club West Ham after making 'one of the most difficult decisions' of her life.

Arnold, 30, has been at West Ham since 2020, but many speculated she might be leaving after she was absent from the club's upcoming tour of Australia.

This leaves Arnold without a club as the Matildas prepare for their first Olympic match later this month.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the Women's World Cup star revealed how difficult the decision to leave was.

'This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make and I wanted to have the opportunity to say goodbye properly, whilst also looking back on the incredible time I have had in the famous Claret & Blue,' Arnold wrote.

'It's been nearly four years to the day since I arrived at Chadwell Heath and it didn't take me long to realise how special this club was and how at home I felt in east London.

'I have been lucky enough to play football in many different countries, but I am so grateful to have had this chapter at a club that means so much to me.

'West Ham will always hold a special place in my heart, forever Claret & Blue.'

Matildas hero Mackenzie Arnold (pictured) will leave West Ham after making 'one of the most difficult decisions' of her life

Arnold is now without a club as the Matildas prepare for their first Olympic match

Arnold's announcement received a host of comments from her Australian teammates, including sidelined striker Sam Kerr who left three messages.

'Wait wtf,' she posted, before adding, 'What happened to London girlz 4eva?'

Kerr then posted: 'Love you, you gotta do what you gotta do darlinggg.'

It is not known where Arnold will move to next, though there has been interest from Manchester United previously.

The news comes just a week after Matildas teammate Hayley Raso announced she'd been dropped by football giants Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old is now looking for a new team after giving her fans the sad news in an Instagram post.

It remains unknown where Arnold will land next, but she should have plenty of offers

Raso made history as the first Australian to play for the world-famous club and has been cut as a result of limits on the number of foreign players who can star in Spain's top-flight women's league.

She will be one of the biggest talents for the Matildas in Paris after making coach Tony Gustavsson's squad earlier this month.

With the side already missing skipper Sam Kerr through injury, Raso shapes as one of the team's key players as they also sweat on the fitness of Katrina Gorry and striker Caitlin Foord.