Tabea Kemme has been forced to retire from football due to a reoccurring knee injury.

The midfielder joined Arsenal in July 2018 but consistent injuries led to the 28-year-old only making three appearances for the Gunners. 

Prior to her move to Meadow Park, she came through the youth ranks of Turbine Potsdam, where she went on play 145 times for the club, scoring 24 goals. Kemme was part of the Potsdam team that won the 2010 UEFA Women's Champions League.

During the 2014-15 campaign in her homeland, two of her goals - both long-range strikes - were shortlisted in the top 10 goals of the season by the German Football Association.

Tabea has represented Germany at under-17, under-19, under-20, before making her debut for the senior team in 2013 against Croatia in an 8-0 win. She scored her first international goal against Hungary on September 18, 2015, in a UEFA Euro 2017 qualifying match.

The midfielder went on to make 47 appearances for Die Nationalelf, scoring six goals.

Known for her versatility, the 28-year-old started as a full-back for Germany at the 2016 Olympics, where her county won gold. She played every minute of the games bar one match. 

Kemme took to Instagram to announce the news, saying the following: 

"A decision made with tears but also joy.  

"After 14 years of competitive sport, which was very formative for me, a prolonged knee injury means I'm unable to continue playing top-level football.

"This chapter has now ended. Now there are exciting times ahead for me. My new chapter has already begun."