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

Mary Earps is coming home. The iconic former England goalkeeper has officially signed a two-year contract with the London City Lionesses, securing a blockbuster return to the Women's Super League (WSL) that promises to shake up the English domestic game.[1][2]

The 33-year-old shot-stopper joins the capital club on a free transfer following the expiration of her contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Earps will officially link up with her new teammates on July 1, 2026, bringing an end to a two-year stint in the French capital that she recently admitted left her feeling somewhat disconnected from her massive UK fanbase.[1][3]

In a candid interview, Earps confessed that her time abroad made her feel as though people thought she had "vanished." Despite keeping 23 clean sheets in 57 appearances across all competitions for PSG, the club endured a frustrating 2025/26 campaign, finishing third in the league and suffering an early exit in the Champions League group stages.[1]

Now, the two-time FIFA Best Goalkeeper is eager to re-establish herself on familiar soil. "I'm over the moon to join this club and I'm really looking forward to it," Earps said in her official unveiling. "I feel the club aligns with what I stand for. I can't wait to get started and to get down to business. This is the first day of the next chapter."

Her arrival is a massive coup for the London City Lionesses, an independent club that only debuted in the WSL top flight last season. Unburdened by affiliation with a men's Premier League side, the club is charting a unique path under the ownership of American billionaire Michele Kang, who is aggressively investing in infrastructure and elite talent.[3]

Kang's vision was a decisive factor for Earps, who retired from international duty in May 2025 after earning 53 caps and helping the Lionesses secure the Euro 2022 title. The goalkeeper praised the club's commitment to treating women's football as a premier, standalone business rather than a secondary operation.[2]

"The vision and ambition, including the new training facility, is incredible and I'm looking forward to seeing that develop," Earps explained. "It shows what our owner Michele and everyone at the club want to do in terms of really going for it. It's about putting a marker down and saying we want to be competitive in a short space of time."

That marker is already sending ripples through the league. London City enjoyed a highly respectable debut season in the WSL, finishing comfortably mid-table in sixth place. However, the acquisition of a player of Earps' caliber—who previously won the Women's FA Cup and the WSL Golden Glove during her five-year tenure at Manchester United—signals that mid-table is no longer the ceiling.[3]

The club's ambitions do not stop at the goal line. Reports suggest London City are actively pursuing other global superstars, including Barcelona's elite defender Mapi León and Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. If successful, these moves would instantly transform the Lionesses into genuine title contenders, disrupting the established hierarchy of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City.[1][2]

Beyond her undeniable talent on the pitch, Earps brings immense commercial and cultural value. As the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, her popularity transcends the sport. London City management hopes her presence will significantly boost matchday attendances and help the independent club build a fiercely loyal, dedicated fanbase.[1]

The WSL is widely regarded as one of the most fiercely competitive leagues in global women's football, a reality Earps is quick to acknowledge. "It won't be easy, the WSL is extremely competitive," she noted. "The team had a brilliant season finishing mid-table... now it's about climbing the table and working towards finishing as high as possible."[3]

For fans of the English game, the return of one of its most recognizable and beloved figures is a major victory. As London City Lionesses prepare for their sophomore season in the top flight, they do so with a proven winner guarding their net and a clear message to the rest of the league: they have arrived.[1]