Arsenal and Sweden international defender Amanda Ilestedt is stepping away from football after announcing she is pregnant.
Ilestedt, 31, joined Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain in June and has gone on to make 15 appearances for her new club, scoring three goals.
She will continue to undertake light training activities but won’t be available for selection by Jonas Eidevall until after she has given birth.
An Arsenal statement read: “We are delighted to share the happy news that Amanda Ilestedt is expecting her first child.
“Amanda is doing well and we are supporting her closely throughout this new and exciting journey.
“Amanda will continue to undertake light training activities and keep in close contact with our medical team as her pregnancy progresses, but will not now be available for selection until after she has given birth.
“Everybody at Arsenal would like to send our warm congratulations to Amanda and her partner Rainer ahead of the new arrival.”
Arsenal are third in the Women’s Super League table and are next in action against league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
(Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
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