Mary Earps returns to Women’s Super League with London City Lionesses move

London City Lionesses have announced the signing of Mary Earps. The former England international has joined the ambitious Women’s Super League side on a two-year deal.

Earps’ return to the WSL follows a two-year spell with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, who she joined after five years at Manchester United.

The 33-year-old is one of the most recognisable faces in the game, having helped United to their first major silverware as they lifted the 2024 FA Cup.

She was also instrumental in helping England win the 2022 European Championships on home soil before playing a crucial role again as they made the 2023 World Cup final.

During that World Cup, Earps was a vocal critic of Nike, who had refused to sell goalkeeper shirts for the women’s teams they supplied.

That intervention and subsequent public pressure led to a U-turn from Nike, who agreed to produce the shirts following the tournament and committed to releases for future tournaments.

Individual honours poured in during those two years. She won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper of The Year Award in 2022 and 2023, as well as the WSL and World Cup Golden Glove in 2023.

Earps’ international retirement came just five weeks before England’s successful defence of their European crown. The shot-stopper made 53 appearances for the Lionesses.

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On joining LCL, Earps said: “I’m over the moon, I’m really looking forward to it.

“The club’s values represent what I want to represent. They are passionate about what I want to achieve and change the game in a positive way. All the conversations have been really positive and every time I spoke with the club, I wanted to hear more.”

Earps’ signing marks the first statement of intent from London City this summer. They are also reportedly in talks to sign Barcelona duo Alexia Putellas and Mapi León.