Wellington Phoenix vice-captain Chloe Knott has quit A-League Women and put her professional career on hold due to "financial obligations."
The Phoenix confirmed Knott had been granted a release from her contract just five days after scoring the winner in third-placed Wellington's 2-1 win over Perth Glory, just six weeks into the season.
Wellington said Knott decided to pause her career as it was no longer sustainable to juggle football with her full-time job while also meeting her financial obligations.
"The call to put her footballing career on hold was made apparent when her joy of being in the Phoenix environment was no longer outweighing the financial strain she was feeling."
Experienced midfielder Knott had not missed a match in the team's history.
"The decision to leave the team has been the toughest one I've ever had to make and is not something I have taken lightly," said Knott.
"I feel lucky for all the lessons and experiences I have had over the past three seasons, and mostly for the connections and friendships I'll have for the rest of my life.
"I'm at a stage in my life where I feel free and empowered to choose the spaces that are most conducive to my personal fulfilment and becoming the person I want to be."
Knott scored five goals in the Phoenix's 38 ALW games.
Her decision underlines the financial pressures experienced by many ALW players.
According to the Professional Footballers Australia's 2022-23 A-League Women report players were "feeling the strain of increasing football demands in a context where their careers are not yet full-time professional."
The PFA survey revealed 60 per cent of ALW players were working a job outside of playing, a necessity given many either sat at or just above the minimum salary of $20,608 for a 29-week contract.
The minimum wage for this season, which is a 35-week contract, is $25,000.
Wellington coach Paul Temple will now need to find midfield replacements for Knott as well as Grace Wisnewski, who tore her ACL earlier this month.
"I want to thank Chloe for the fantastic service she's given this team and the club," Temple said.
"Her attitude and commitment have always been incredibly professional. She's an amazing person and we will certainly miss having her presence around the training ground.
"It's without doubt disappointing to lose a player like Chloe, but we have to respect her decision and support her with finding a better work-life balance.
"In a way it's fitting she was able to finish up scoring the winning goal in her hometown on Saturday night."
