Manchester United have confirmed goalkeeper Mary Earps will leave the club on a free transfer.
Earps, who has won the FIFA Best goalkeeper award for the past two seasons, is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain when her contract expires at the end of the month.
The 31-year-old joined United in 2019 from Wolfsburg and made 125 appearances for the club, breaking the record for WSL clean sheets in one season and overall.
She was also an instrumental figure as England won the 2022 European Championship and reached the final of the 2023 World Cup.
Earps was named the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
She is expected to become the highest-paid female goalkeeper in the world by completing a move to Paris.
Part of the United family, always 🧬
We can’t thank you enough for your service, Mary — best of luck with what’s next ❤️#MUWomen
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) June 29, 2024
Earps explained her reasoning behind the move on Instagram.
She wrote: “After 5 years of service to your great club, I have decided that it’s time for a new challenge. It’s a decision I’ve gone backwards and forwards on for some time, and is not one I’ve made lightly. The club is about to undergo a period of transition, and unfortunately I don’t feel it aligns with the timing of where I’m at in my career, therefore I think now is the right time to make a change and embark on a new challenge.
“There aren’t the right words, or enough words, to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all, but I hope the below comes somewhere close.
“I have loved playing in front of you all, near and far but especially at Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford. It doesn’t feel real that I won’t be playing in front of you all again next season, and I’m sad we’re saying goodbye. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for your incredible support over the years; the ups and the downs, I’m grateful for it all.
“Although this United chapter has sadly come to a close, I take with me a heart full of incredible memories. Thank you for welcoming me as one of your own and letting me be a part of your club. I wish you all the very best for the future and I hope I can continue to make you proud in my next chapter.”
