Mary Earps Commits to London City Lionesses Following PSG Transfer
London City Lionesses have made headlines with the signing of former England goalkeeper Mary Earps. The accomplished 33-year-old will officially transition to Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract, effective July 1, following the expiration of her current contract.
Earps is making a return to the Women’s Super League (WSL) two years after departing from Manchester United. During her impressive five-season tenure at United, she made 102 appearances and secured 45 clean sheets. However, she lost her starting position to Hannah Hampton last summer, and in a surprising move, announced her retirement from international competition just five weeks ahead of the Euros.
Earps played a pivotal role in England’s remarkable journey during Euro 2022 and their subsequent success in reaching the World Cup finals a year later. Expressing her enthusiasm about joining London City, Earps stated, “I’m really happy to be joining this club and I can’t wait to get started and get down to business.” Her agreement aligns with the club’s mission and future vision.
Vision and Ambition at London City Lionesses
In her statement about the move, Earps highlighted the club’s values and aspirations, emphasizing that they resonate with her own goals. “The conversations I’ve had with the club have all been really positive,” she remarked. “I wanted to learn more after each discussion.” This palpable excitement underscores London City’s ambition, especially following their promotion to the WSL last season, where they finished sixth.
Earps recognized the impressive plans for new training facilities and the overall vision laid out by owner Michele Kan and the club’s management. “It’s vital to establish a competitive presence quickly,” she added, accentuating the importance of laying foundational markers for success. Eager to collaborate with Hélène Lete and the goalkeeping unit, Earps noted their mutual potential for improvement and shared aspirations for the upcoming season.
Aiming for Higher Stakes in the WSL
With an excited message to fans, Earps expressed her enthusiasm for creating memorable moments together. “We can’t wait to perform in front of you,” she said, reinforcing her commitment to fostering team spirit and club culture. Looking ahead, she acknowledged the stiff competition within the WSL, citing the previous season as a strong platform to build upon in order to rank even higher.
London City’s Bold Aspirations
Laura Hunter of Sky Sports remarked on Earps’ signing as a major coup for London City. The team is not stopping with this high-profile acquisition; significant interest in former Barcelona captain Alexia Putelas displays their growing ambitions. Such moves align with the wealth of funding available from owner Michel Cann, fueling ongoing development and transformation within the squad.
While the combination of top talent can sometimes falter, the success of Earps joining the Lionesses is apparent. Last season, Eder Maestre’s side netted 35 goals, surpassing the league average of 32. Undoubtedly, they will aim to challenge the established top four teams in the division by leveraging this new firepower.
