Mary Earps has always been a leader, whether she is protecting the net for England or speaking out on issues that affect women’s football. This summer she was the first player to sign for the London City Lionesses as they assembled a roster brimming with international talent. After two seasons in France with Paris Saint‑Germain – an experience she describes as "a very different environment" – the England goalkeeper is returning to the Women’s Super League. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the league’s opening on 4 September, when London City meet her former club Manchester United, Earps reflected on her time abroad and the personal growth it sparked.
"I really feel like I was able to go away and work on myself for a couple of years. There were things in my game that I've been able to kind of work on as well," she said. "Living away from home, learning a new language, adapting to a new culture and a new city, it teaches you a lot about yourself.
It gives you space to reflect and figure out more about who you are and who you want to be as a person." Earps has never shied away from bold moves. Before her stint in France she spent a season with German powerhouse Wolfsburg, and that period gave her a deep empathy for players who are making similar transitions. "There are people who are maybe moving clubs for the first time," she noted. "There are people moving countries, speaking different languages.
I know how hard that is, but even moving back to England and speaking English, it's still a transition." The Lionesses’ recruitment drive has produced a truly eye‑catching list. The headline signing is Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who left Barcelona for Bromley, followed by her Barcelona teammate Mapi Leon and French international Kadidiatou Diani.
Already on the books are established internationals such as Kosovare Asllani, Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro. While the calibre of these players suggests superstardom, they are all newcomers to the club, and that shared sense of novelty can forge a strong bond.
Earps described the atmosphere as akin to a first day of school. "I feel very much part of the newness of it all, and it's nice when other people are experiencing that for the first time as well, but even the players that have been here before, they've maybe only been here a year or so.
It's exciting because you get to be a part of that history, and I truly believe London City will achieve incredible things for a long time. That's a massive reason why I came here." She likened the collective nervousness to the feeling of stepping into a classroom for the first time. "Everyone is nervous because everyone's doing the same thing.
But there’s a lot of experience in the room as well. Many of the players have won trophies and have incredible pedigree, so we’re all bonded by that experience and by having faced each other on the pitch before. I honestly can't speak highly enough of the group that I've experienced so far – they have been brilliant at welcoming me." It remains to be seen whether Earps will claim the No 1 jersey straight away. She will likely compete with last season’s starter Elene Lete, who renewed her contract this summer, as well as younger keepers Sophia Poor and Sophie Hillyerd.
London City will also need to tighten their defence; they conceded 35 goals last season, a figure close to the combined total of the league’s two giants, Manchester City and Arsenal, who let in 33 between them. For a club hoping to challenge the established “Big Three,” a dramatic reduction in goals conceded is essential. When asked how a former Golden Glove winner plans to build defensive solidity, Earps emphasized the importance of understanding each defender’s nuances.
"Full‑backs and centre‑backs are very different positions. Then you have each player’s individual qualities – their preferred starting positions, recovery runs, how they like to receive the ball, whether they take two steps forward, and so on. It’s a lot of small details that make a big difference." She added that the relationship works both ways.
"They have to get to know me, understand my positioning and the type of goalkeeper I am. It’s a lot of working it out on the pitch, but I also grab conversations over lunch or between training reps and we bounce ideas off each other all the time." London City’s first real test will be the season‑opening clash at Hayes Lane against Manchester United, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Earps’ former club has endured a turbulent summer of its own, losing key players and seeing head coach Eva Olid replace Marc Skinner after a five‑year tenure. "I was at Man Utd for five years.
I have incredible memories there and met some amazing people," Earps said. "I know the club has changed a lot. Not many of the faces I knew are still there, but they still have fantastic players. It will be a tough game, but I love a challenge.
The support at United is always fantastic, home and away, so I know they’ll make it a difficult atmosphere for us." She reflected fondly on her time under Skinner, recalling an FA Cup triumph. "I won an FA Cup with Marc and I will always cherish that memory. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. He also helped the club reach three other finals, so I think that speaks for itself and I wish him all the best in his next chapter." Now Earps’ focus is on writing her own new chapter and helping London City craft a landmark season.
Whether the headline‑grabbing summer signings translate into on‑field success remains to be seen, but the excitement surrounding the squad ensures that fans and players alike will remember this moment for a long time.