Mary Earps & Mapi Leon on verge of joining London City Lionesses
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has agreed personal terms to join London City Lionesses this summer.
It is understood that the Women’s Super League team has also reached a verbal agreement to transfer Spanish defender Mapi Leon, who left Barcelona last month after spending nine years.
Both players are expected to sign contracts this month, according to sources, as London City Lionesses begin to show their summer ambitions in the WSL transfer window.
Having won numerous individual awards during a successful international career, Earps’ expected return to England would be a high-profile move.
The 33-year-old football player will join the team from Paris St-Germain at the end of his contract after two years in France.
He played 22 matches in the Premiere Ligue this season and kept 12 goals, while PSG finished third, 13 points behind champion Lyon.
The two-time Fifa Goalkeeper of the Year award winner played a key role in England’s Euro 2022 victory and their run to the 2023 World Cup final.
She spent five years at Manchester United, making over 100 appearances and helping them win their first major trophy by lifting the Women’s FA Cup in 2024.
Spain international Leon recently left Barcelona, where he won 27 trophies for one of Europe’s most successful teams.
The 30-year-old has won four Champions League titles with Barcelona, including this season. He started with a 4-0 win over Lyon in the final.
Leon made 54 appearances for Spain, but he and several teammates boycotted the national team for almost three years due to disagreements over working conditions and a dispute with the Spanish Football Federation that started in 2022.
She withdrew from the selection for the 2023 Women’s World Cup after Spain beat England in the final.
The centre-back returned in October 2025 and started the Nations League final a month later as Spain beat Germany 3-0.
London City Lionesses, backed by American businesswoman Michele Kang, finished sixth in their first season in the WSL.
They could have a phenomenal summer as they continue to pursue two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
Last week, 32-year-old Putellas announced he would be leaving Barcelona after 14 years.
Putellas’ decision on his future promises to be the biggest news of the summer transfer window, while a number of high-profile players are also switching clubs.
Australia captain Sam Kerr has agreed to a free deal following his departure from Chelsea, while the Blues are set to sign Arsenal’s versatile defender Katie McCabe.
Manchester City are among the favorites to bring in England forward Beth Mead following her move from Arsenal and have also been linked with the transfer of Niamh Charles from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is preparing to add English midfielder Georgia Stanway from Bayern Munich and Spanish defender Ona Batlle from Barcelona.
