CHLOE KELLY will be forever grateful to Arsenal after finding happiness and Champions League glory, following some dark moments this term.
However the England star was tight-lipped on her future with her loan move ending after the Gunners’ defeat of Barcelona.
Following her Man City to Arsenal switch in January, Kelly, 27, has impressed for the club, including during their triumphant Champions League charge.
The forward made eight appearances in Europe for Renee Slegers’ side this term.
And she played for 68 minutes yesterday as the team fought their way to a 1-0 defeat of Barcelona in this year’s decider played in Portugal’s capital Lisbon.
The loan move that led to Kelly helping the Gunners win a second Champions League trophy, was preceded by her bombshell statement concerning a lack of game time at City.
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In the written post Kelly mentioned her mental wellbeing and lack of minutes affecting her career as well as her need to be happy again
The England forward said: “From being in such a dark place to now, it’s crazy.
“I was ready to take a break from football completely (but now) I’m just grateful.
As soon as I stepped foot in this club, I found happiness.
“As soon as Renee Slegers got on the phone to give me the opportunity to represent this badge, I wanted to repay her.”
Tomorrow Kelly and her Champions League-winning pals will gather outside Emirates Stadium for a trophy celebration set to be attended by Arsenal fans.
Players are due to celebrate their triumph in Armoury Square near the ground with the Bank Holiday Monday shindig expected to begin at 11:30.
Of the club’s supporters, Kelly added: “I love them, they’re flipping amazing. Whether I was playing against them or for them, they’re the best fans.”
Kelly’s Arsenal experience goes all the way back to 2010 when she joined their academy before making her senior debut five years later at 17.
Spells at Everton and Man City followed the forward from 2016 before she made her Gunners return this January.
On whether she wishes to stay at Arsenal with her Man City contract ending in June, Kelly added: “If it’s my last game for the club, I’ll forever be grateful.
“They gave me an opportunity to step foot on the pitch and find happiness.
They gave me an opportunity to step foot on the pitch and find happiness.
“It’s not about football at times. No matter what happened today, the club gave me happiness.”
Arsenal’s Champions League triumph saw Slegers become the first Dutch coach to steer a team trophy glory in the contest.
And Beth Mead, 30, hopes the performance Arsenal produced against Barcelona can be replicated by the team throughout a season.
The forward, who teed up Stina Blackstenius’ match-winning goal, said: “The European journey has been incredible.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs but we’ve shown so much character to win. Now as a team, we’ve got to do that throughout a full season.”
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