West Ham United can confirm that Gilly Flaherty will depart the Club at the end of her contract in the summer.
Flaherty played her final match in Claret and Blue on Sunday as the Hammers faced Arsenal at Dagenham and Redbridge Stadium, capping a sensational four years as captain of West Ham United women’s team.
“It is with immense sadness that I leave West Ham United this summer,” Flaherty said. “I have genuinely loved every minute of my time with this Club and am so proud of my role in the journey this team has undergone in the last four years.
“It was an honour to be named the first captain of a professional West Ham women’s team.
“I have so many incredible memories from my time in Claret and Blue, from reaching the FA Cup final in our first season to playing at London Stadium. Away from the pitch, I have made friends for life, and I am going to miss coming into training at Chadwell Heath every day.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the West Ham United fans who accepted me as one of their own from the very first day, and have supported both me and the team through every high and every low. Even though my playing time with this Club has come to an end, I am a Hammer for life.”
Flaherty has played a pivotal role in West Ham United’s progression from a newly-formed professional team into an established Club in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The defender, who became the first player to make over 100 professional appearances for the Hammers earlier this year, joined the Irons from Chelsea ahead of the team’s inaugural campaign in the Barclays FA WSL in 2018.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Gilly for her outstanding contributions to the Club during her time in Claret and Blue, and wish her every success for her future career.