Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has been financially supporting Kayleigh McDonald during her recovery from an ACL tear for the last four months, stepping up after McDonald’s then-club Stoke City said she would have to pay out of pocket following the injury.
McDonald, now a free agent, tore her ACL in March 2024 while playing for the third division side, who she said told her to join the National Health Service’s waiting list to receive treatment. Seeking a quicker operation, as is customary in professional sports, requires seeking private medical care and McDonald discovered it would cost her upwards of $25,000. She launched a GoFundMe in April of that year.
“So sad to say that just when I thought the women’s game was finally getting somewhere, I receive the worst news that I will have to join the NHS waiting list for surgery after an injury I sustained playing a league game for my club,” McDonald wrote on GoFundMe, per the Guardian. “I have suffered more mentally than physically with this injury, especially the fact it’s going to inevitably end my football career. I’m currently off work, not able to walk, not earning any money but still having the burden of paying my bills. Just to see a consultant,…
