Mary Earps is preparing to trade the pitch in Paris for one in London, as the former England goalkeeper moves closer to sealing a return to the Women's Super League. After a season with PSG, Earps is in advanced discussions with London City Lionesses, the ambitious west London club that shocked the football world with its arrival in English football's top tier just last season.
The move marks a significant moment for both player and club. Earps, who became one of England's most recognised figures during the Lionesses' Euro 2022 triumph, has spent recent months abroad refining her craft at one of Europe's elite institutions. Her return to English football reflects the growing stature of the WSL and the quality of ambition now on display from emerging clubs willing to compete for players of her calibre. London City Lionesses, owned by Michele Kang, are clearly thinking big—their debut campaign in the WSL saw them finish sixth with eight wins from 22 matches, a solid foundation from which to build.
While sources close to the club confirm that a formal agreement has not yet been reached, insiders remain optimistic that summer business will deliver Earps to their ranks. The signing would represent a major coup for manager Eder Maestre's side, adding world-class experience and the kind of household name recognition that can galvanise a club's trajectory. The goalkeeper would join a club clearly hunting talent at the highest level. Beyond Earps, London City Lionesses have also been linked with Barcelona defender Mapi Leon and England winger Beth Mead, who announced her departure from Arsenal this week.
Earps arrives at a moment when the transfer market for elite women's players is unusually fluid. A constellation of world-class talent is potentially available on free transfers this summer, creating rare opportunities for clubs with ambition and resources. Arsenal's Beth Mead and Katie McCabe are both leaving the club, while Barcelona's Alexia Putellas remains unsigned. Chelsea's Sam Kerr is departing Stamford Bridge, and Manchester City's top scorer Khadija Shaw rejected contract renewal proposals, opening doors across Europe's elite.
During her years in England, Earps transcended sport, becoming one of the country's most recognised and influential athletes. Her recent memoir, released in November, demonstrated the depth of her public presence—though it also sparked considerable controversy and dominated media headlines for weeks. That visibility, alongside her proven excellence between the posts, makes her a transformative signing for any club willing to secure her.
London City Lionesses represent a different kind of opportunity: a club hungry to prove that newcomers can compete with WSL's established powers. For Earps, the move offers a chance to anchor a genuine project, to bring her experience and reputation to a team building something from scratch. While nothing is yet guaranteed, the pieces appear to be falling into place. This summer could see one of England's greatest goalkeepers take the next chapter of her career in the heart of London, at a club determined to write its own remarkable story.