Rumoured Chelsea target Macario issues Lyon farewell | OneFootball

Rumoured Chelsea target Catarina Macario has this evening issued an emotional goodbye to everyone at her current club Lyon.

The 23-year-old American international is leaving the French champions this summer after spending the last two-and-a-half years at the Groupama OL Training Center. The player has been strongly linked with a move to Barclays Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.

Macario took to her personal Twitter account this evening to bid a fond farewell to everyone associated with Lyon.

She said “While I am disappointed to be leaving without playing this season because of injury, my time in Lyon has been extraordinary – the memories, lessons, and experiences I have had while at the club and city will forever be cherished.

“I am incredibly grateful to Olympique Lyonnais for having taken a chance on me straight out of college and for allowing me to be part of such an exceptional team. Despite many ups and downs, I am honoured to have been part of this great club and to have shared the field with many incredible icons of the game.

“I want to thank President Jean Michel-Aulas for everything he has done and continues to do to grow women’s football, not only in Lyon but the whole world. Thank you also to club legends Sonia Bompastor and Camille Abily for allowing me to learn from them and every staff member for their tremendous support on and off the pitch.

“Most importantly, I want to extend a massive thank you to my teammates and the fans for welcoming me with open arms since the very beginning and for helping me grow into the person and player that I am today. From winning the Champions League to our moments of laughter, singing, or tears, I could not have imagined starting my career with a better team or group of people.

“Thank you so much again for everything. Our time together will always hold a special place in my heart.”

In her time with OL, Macario has made 44 appearances for the club in all competitions while she has scored 28 goals. The player has been out of action for the last year after sustaining an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury but she should be in a position to return to competitive action next season.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes recently commented that the club are progressing swiftly with their summer recruitment and Macario is thought to be one of those players who are set to join The Blues in the coming weeks.