Mary Earps has confirmed her return to the Women’s Super League after two seasons away, following the completion of her move to London City Lionesses.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper joins from Paris Saint-Germain after a two-year spell in France, in what represents a major statement signing for the ambitious newcomers.
Earps made 22 appearances in the Premiere Ligue last season, keeping 12 clean sheets as PSG finished third – 13 points behind champions Lyon.
A two-time FIFA Best Goalkeeper of the Year winner, Earps played a crucial role in the Lionesses’ 2022 Euros victory and their route to the 2023 World Cup final.
She made headlines last summer when she dramatically retired from international football just five weeks before Euro 2025. Daily Mail Sport reported at the time that the decision stemmed from her reluctance to accept a backup role to Hannah Hampton.
The Lionesses went on to retain their trophy, while Hampton played an influential role in their success, including saving two penalties in the final shoot-out.
Earps has confirmed her return to the Women’s Super League after two seasons away, following the completion of her move to London City Lionesses
Earps made headlines last summer when she dramatically retired from international football just five weeks before Euro 2025
Later in the year, Earps released her autobiography, in which she claimed England boss Sarina Wiegman had rewarded Hampton’s ‘bad behaviour’ by recalling her to the squad after previously dropping her for being ‘disruptive and unreliable’.
Earps has since addressed the controversy, saying she has ‘taken accountability and apologised for the hurt and the impact that the book would have had on them’.
The pair will now be set for a potentially awkward reunion, with details of when Hampton’s Chelsea will face Earps’ London City Lionesses to be disclosed when the WSL fixtures are released in the week commencing Monday 27 July.
Despite the off-field headlines, Earps remains one of the most recognisable figures in the women’s game and is expected to be a marquee arrival for London City Lionesses next season.
That popularity was evident in April, when she received a rousing reception during her appearance at England’s World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley.
She previously spent five years at Manchester United, making more than 100 appearances, and helped them win their first major trophy in 2024 as they emphatically beat Tottenham 4-0 to lift the Women’s FA Cup. This followed spells at Birmingham City, Reading and VfL Wolfsburg, among others.
Earps, who grew up in Nottingham, told London City Lionesses club media: ‘I’m over the moon to join this club and I’m really looking forward to it. I feel the club aligns with what I stand for. I can’t wait to get started and to get down to business.
‘All the conversations have been really positive and every time I spoke with the club I wanted to hear more. The vision and ambition, including the new training facility is incredible and I’m looking forward to seeing that develop, it shows what our owner Michele (Kang) and everyone at the club want to do in terms of really going for it.
‘I’m looking forward to working alongside Elene (Lete) and the goalkeeping unit. Elene made some great saves and interventions last season. Hopefully we can bounce off each other and work hard and enjoy it.
‘I feel I still have so much left to give to the game, and that’s exactly why I chose London City.
‘It won’t be easy, the WSL is extremely competitive. The team had a brilliant 2025/26 season finishing mid-table in their first season, now it’s about climbing the table and working towards finishing as high as possible.’
Meanwhile, it could be a significant summer for London City Lionesses, who have also been linked with Barcelona legend Alexia Putellas as they look to strengthen ahead of the new campaign.
They finished sixth in their first season in the top-flight last campaign, and are owned by ambitious Lyon owner Michele Kang, who also owns NWSL side Washington Spirit.
They are also reportedly set to sign Putellas’ Barcelona team-mate Mapi Leon, 30, following the expiration of her contract.
