Caitlin Foord has said goodbye to her old club as the forward gets ready to complete her move to Arsenal.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 15: Caitlin Foord of Sydney FC controls the ball during the round five W-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC at on December 15, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 15: Caitlin Foord of Sydney FC controls the ball during the round five W-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC at on December 15, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Multiple sources around the world claimed that the Australian 25-year-old would be joining Arsenal this month and it seems like she is on her way, even though she hasn’t yet confirmed her new club:

She wrote, “THANK YOU SYDNEY! I say this with a heavy heart, but Thursday night was my last game for this season. Although you won’t see me in the sky blue colours, I will however be Sydney FC’s number 1 fan and hopeful that they will go all the way and lift that trophy at the end of season AGAIN!

“I will be able to announce my future club very soon! Thank you Danny, Ante and the rest of the Sydney Fc staff for making this possible and supporting me with my next move! And of course the girls you have all been so amazing and showed me so much love and support.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 01: Natasha Rigby of the Perth Glory shakes hands with Caitlin Foord of Sydney FC at the coin toss during the round three A-League match between the Perth Glory and Sydney FC at Dorrien Gardens on December 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 01: Natasha Rigby of the Perth Glory shakes hands with Caitlin Foord of Sydney FC at the coin toss during the round three A-League match between the Perth Glory and Sydney FC at Dorrien Gardens on December 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/Getty Images)

Foord is a forward who can play at full-back but is not actually suited actually to that position. She is a bit too slow to get up and down the pitch and is much better up front.

She is strong and powerful and the 25-year-old will fit perfectly as a number 9 for Arsenal or out on the wing.

Olympic qualifiers

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: Caitlin Foord of Sydney FC In action during the round six W-League match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at Bankwest Stadium on December 20, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 20: Caitlin Foord of Sydney FC In action during the round six W-League match between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at Bankwest Stadium on December 20, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Australia have an AFC Olympic qualifier coming up and Foord has been included in the squad which means she will not be available for a short period.

AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament dates are confirmed as 3-9 February 2020, with the play-off round on the 6 and 11 March 2020.

Eligibility and exceptions

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Beth Mead of England competes with Caitlin Foord of Australia during the International Friendly between England Women and Australia Women at Craven Cottage on October 9, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Beth Mead of England competes with Caitlin Foord of Australia during the International Friendly between England Women and Australia Women at Craven Cottage on October 9, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players from June 19 state that a player can only play for two clubs in one season.

“Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs.”

As Foord as already played for Portland Thorns and Sydney FC this season she should therefore not actually be able to play for Arsenal.

Thankfully, there is an exception to the rule and it applies in this case.

The NWSL season is a summer season, the W-League is a winter season (although it is obviously the summer there) and the FA WSL is a winter season.

“As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season, provided he has fully complied with his contractual obligations towards his previous clubs. Equally,the provisions relating to the registration periods (article 6) as well as to the minimum length of a contract (article 18 paragraph 2) must be respected.”