Mary Earps Returns to WSL, Signing Two-Year Deal with London City Lionesses

Former England international Mary Earps is officially returning to English football, signing a two-year contract with the London City Lionesses. The 33-year-old goalkeeper joins the Women's Super League (WSL) club on a free transfer following the expiration of her contract with Paris Saint-Germain.[2][3]

Earps' new deal will keep her in the English capital until June 2028, with her contract officially commencing on July 1. The move brings one of the most recognizable figures in the women's game back to domestic shores after a two-season stint in the French Premiere Ligue.[3][6]

In a statement addressing her arrival, Earps expressed her enthusiasm for the club's trajectory under American owner Michele Kang. "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," Earps said, noting that the conversations with management convinced her of the project's ambition.[2][4]

The signing serves as a massive statement of intent for the London City Lionesses, an independent club that only recently earned promotion to the top flight. In their debut 2025-26 WSL campaign, the team secured a highly respectable sixth-place finish, establishing a foundation that Kang is now aggressively building upon.[1][7]

"The vision and ambition, including the new training facility, is incredible and I'm looking forward to seeing that develop," Earps added. "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."[4][6]

Earps arrives in London following a successful chapter in Paris, where she made 57 appearances across all competitions for PSG. During her tenure, she helped the French giants secure a third-place league finish and domestic cup runs, before announcing her departure in an emotional farewell video earlier in June.[5][6]

The goalkeeper's resume brings unparalleled top-flight experience to the Lionesses' locker room. Prior to her move to France in 2024, Earps spent five highly successful years at Manchester United, where she amassed over 100 appearances, won the WSL Golden Glove, and lifted the Women's FA Cup in her final season.[1][2]

On the international stage, Earps cemented her legacy as a cornerstone of the Lionesses squad that won the 2022 UEFA European Championship and reached the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. She retired from international duty in May 2025, stepping away with 53 senior caps after Hannah Hampton assumed the starting role for England.[2][4]

London City's acquisition of Earps is part of a broader, high-profile recruitment drive designed to disrupt the established WSL hierarchy of Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal. The club has already secured the signatures of French internationals Grace Geyoro and Delphine Cascarino, alongside Spanish defender Jana Fernandez.[4][7]

The ambitious capital club is reportedly not finished in the transfer market, with widespread reports linking them to Barcelona stars Mapi León and two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. If completed, these moves would instantly transform London City into a formidable title contender.[1][4]

For Earps, the immediate focus shifts to integrating with her new teammates and preparing for the upcoming campaign. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the players, the staff, the style of play and club culture and trying to give everything I can to help the club achieve its collective goals," she stated.[3][6]

The Lionesses will transition directly into pre-season training in the coming weeks, aiming to bridge the gap to the league's elite. With Earps anchoring the defense, London City enters the 2026-27 WSL season with raised expectations and a clear mandate to challenge for domestic silverware.[3][7]