London City Lionesses sign ex-England keeper Earps
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has joined London City Lionesses on a two-year deal after leaving Paris St-Germain.
The 33-year-old left France after two seasons upon the expiry of her contract, having made 22 appearances in the Premiere Ligue this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementShe kept 12 clean sheets as PSG finished third in the table, 13 points behind champions Lyon.
"I feel the club aligns with what I stand for. I can't wait to get started and to get down to business," said Earps
"The club's values represent what I want to represent and they are passionate about what I want to achieve. 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"It's about putting a marker down and saying we want to be competitive in a short space of time."
Two-time Fifa Best Goalkeeper of the Year award-winner Earps played a crucial role in England's victory at Euro 2022 and their route to the 2023 World Cup final.
She spent five years at Manchester United, making more than 100 appearances, and helped them win their first major trophy in 2024 as they lifted the Women's FA Cup.
The goalkeeper earned many individual accolades during her successful international career before she announced her retirement in 2025.
She became one of the country's most recognised and influential players, though her book - released in November - caused controversy and dominated headlines in the media for several weeks.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, on her return to Old Trafford earlier this season in the Women's Champions League, Earps was given a warm applause at full-time by home fans.
There is a mural of Earps painted outside Old Trafford celebrating her spell at the club.
London City Lionesses are demonstrating their summer ambition in the Women's Super League transfer window as they pursue several high-profile players.
As well as Earps' return to England, they are set to sign Spain defender Mapi Leon and are in ongoing talks with two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas following her exit from Barcelona.
London City Lionesses, who are backed by wealthy American businesswoman Michele Kang, finished sixth in their first season in the WSL in 2025-26.
"I feel I still have so much left to give to the game and that's exactly why I chose London City," said Earps.
"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."
Analysis: Earps to challenge for number one shirt
Earps' arrival will shake things up for London City Lionesses as they continue to prove their desire to sit among the WSL’s elite.
She will provide stiff competition for current number one Elene Lete, as well as bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge of the league.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAnother bonus is the Earps brand, which will no doubt attract attention and publicity, in turn helping to grow London City’s name.
That is a focus for the club - to capitalise on gaps in the commercial market and to grow their fanbase, as well as building an identity.
To impact development on the pitch, their recruitment plans include attempts to bring in several big names as well as a healthy blend of youthful talent.
This summer they are hoping to bring in up to seven players if they can persuade their key targets.
After a solid debut campaign in the WSL, they will be hoping to challenge for a top-four spot this year but they are not the only ambitious club as Tottenham are also promising a strong transfer window.
New episodes of Women's Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
