Mary Earps Returns to the WSL in Statement Signing for London City Lionesses

Mary Earps, the decorated former England goalkeeper and two-time FIFA Best Goalkeeper of the Year, is officially returning to the Women's Super League. On Friday, the London City Lionesses announced the signing of the 33-year-old shot-stopper on a two-year free transfer, effective July 1, following the expiration of her contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The move marks a high-profile homecoming for Earps, who spent two years in the French capital after a highly successful five-year tenure at Manchester United. Her return to English football is being heralded as one of the most significant transfers of the summer window, bringing one of the sport's most recognizable and accomplished figures back to domestic competition.[2][4]

For the London City Lionesses, acquiring a player of Earps's pedigree is a massive statement of intent that reverberates across the European landscape. Owned by American businesswoman Michele Kang, the independent club has made no secret of its ambition to disrupt the established hierarchy of the WSL, which has historically been dominated by teams affiliated with wealthy men's Premier League powerhouses like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City. The Lionesses enjoyed a highly successful debut campaign in the top flight last season, finishing a respectable sixth in the table. Now, by securing a player who played a crucial role in England's Euro 2022 victory and their run to the 2023 World Cup final, the club is signaling its readiness to push higher up the standings and aggressively compete for major trophies.[2][5][6]

Earps expressed deep enthusiasm for the club's long-term vision, noting that the organization's values align closely with her own desires for the remainder of her career. "I feel I still have so much left to give to the game, and that's exactly why I chose London City," she said in the club's official announcement. Earps praised the vision and ambition of the ownership, specifically highlighting the development of a new state-of-the-art training facility as evidence that the club is genuinely committed to elite standards. She emphasized that the conversations with management convinced her that the Lionesses are passionate about changing the women's game in a positive, sustainable way.[1][2][6]

The transfer was unveiled with a glamorous, highly produced photoshoot on a boat cruising down the River Thames, a stark contrast to the makeshift announcements that characterized the earlier stages of Earps's career. In an interview reflecting on the move, Earps noted the dramatic shift in how women's football operates today compared to when she signed for Wolfsburg eight years ago, when her agent had to buy a scarf from the club shop for a quick photo. The sophisticated rollout underscores her current status as a global icon of the women's game, and the club's strategic desire to leverage her immense popularity to rapidly build their independent fanbase in the competitive London market.[1][3]

During her two-year stint in France, Earps maintained a high standard of play, keeping 23 clean sheets in 57 appearances across all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain. Despite her consistent performances, she admitted to feeling somewhat disconnected from the English football consciousness while playing abroad, noting that some people thought she had "vanished." Her return to the WSL ensures she will be back in the weekly spotlight of one of the world's most heavily scrutinized and competitive leagues. Prior to her time in Paris, Earps had established herself as a foundational pillar at Manchester United, racking up over 100 appearances, winning the Golden Glove, and helping the club lift the Women's FA Cup in 2024.[1][2][4]

League observers and analysts view the signing as a potential turning point for the WSL's competitive landscape, proving that independent women's teams can successfully recruit top-tier international talent. The Lionesses are not resting on the acquisition of Earps alone; reports indicate the club is also in advanced discussions to sign other international heavyweights, including departing Barcelona defender Mapi León. If London City can successfully integrate these experienced, world-class veterans with their existing core, they could rapidly accelerate their timeline from mid-table newcomers to legitimate title contenders and Champions League qualifiers.[3][6]

The move also represents a new personal chapter for Earps, who shocked many by announcing her retirement from international football in May 2025, just weeks before the European Championships. After earning 53 caps for the Lionesses and cementing her legacy as one of England's greatest-ever goalkeepers, stepping away from the national team has allowed her to focus entirely on her club career. Without the grueling physical and mental demands of the international calendar, Earps is positioned to pour all her remaining athletic prime into the London City project, bringing unparalleled top-tier experience to a locker room eager to establish itself permanently among the elite.[2][4][6]

As the countdown to the 2026/27 WSL season begins, all eyes will be on the capital to see if the Lionesses' ambitious project can translate into on-field dominance. Earps will officially link up with her new teammates on July 1, marking the beginning of a crucial preseason for the club. While she acknowledged that climbing the WSL table will not be easy given the league's extreme competitiveness, her arrival has undeniably shifted the center of gravity in English women's football, proving that the independent club model can attract the sport's biggest stars.[2][4][5]