Arsenal Football Club has confirmed that forward Lina Hurtig will depart the club at the end of the season when her contract expires. Hurtig, who joined the Gunners from Juventus in August 2022, has had a rollercoaster ride during her three-year spell in north London, marred by injuries but punctuated by significant contributions to the team.
Hurtig made her debut in a commanding 4–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League in September 2022, showcasing her potential as a versatile and technically adept forward. Over her time with Arsenal, she accumulated a total of 36 appearances and netted seven goals, playing a crucial role in the club's triumphs in two League Cup competitions.
However, her time at Arsenal has not been without its challenges. Injuries have plagued her tenure, the most recent being a training-ground setback that kept her sidelined during the crucial final weeks of the season, particularly affecting her participation in the Champions League first leg against Real Madrid.
Before her move to Arsenal, Hurtig had already established herself as a formidable player. Born in Avesta, Sweden in 1995, she first made a name for herself with Umeå IK, where her intelligent movement and skill caught the eye of many. In 2017, she transferred to Linköpings FC, contributing significantly to their success in the Damallsvenskan during her debut season.
In 2020, she took her talents to Juventus, where she enjoyed considerable success, winning league titles and domestic cups while gaining invaluable experience in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. By the time she arrived in England, Hurtig had earned over 50 caps for Sweden and participated in major international tournaments, including the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Off the pitch, Hurtig's impact has been equally significant. She married her wife, Lisa, in 2019 and soon after became a mother. The couple welcomed their second child at the end of 2024, and they have been vocal advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility in football, striving to foster a more inclusive culture within the sport.
Despite the setbacks during her time at Arsenal, Hurtig leaves the club with silverware and the respect of fans and teammates alike. "Everyone at Arsenal Football Club would like to thank Lina for her contribution to the club, and we wish her well for her next chapter," the club stated in their announcement.
In addition to Hurtig, Arsenal is expected to see other changes in their squad this summer. Fellow forward Amanda Ilestedt, who joined the Gunners in the summer of 2023, is also believed to be leaving as her contract expires. Ilestedt, who played a pivotal role in Sweden's third-place finish at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, has faced her own challenges this season, missing most of it due to maternity leave.
Ilestedt has made only three league appearances for Arsenal in the 2024-25 season, while Hurtig has managed just five appearances, scoring once in the league and another goal in the Champions League against Juventus, which secured Arsenal's progression to the knockout stages.
As the season draws to a close, both players could be making their final league appearance for Arsenal against Manchester United on May 10, 2025. They are also set to participate in the Women’s Champions League final, where Arsenal will face Barcelona on May 24, 2025, in Lisbon.
Additionally, forward Teyah Goldie will also leave Arsenal when her contract expires this summer. The 20-year-old, who spent this season on loan at Championship winners London City Lionesses, has been part of the club for 14 years, making six first-team appearances.
As the Gunners prepare for the future, the departures of Hurtig, Ilestedt, and Goldie mark the end of an era, but also the beginning of new opportunities for the club as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming seasons.
