Manchester City have announced the permanent signing of goalkeeper Katie Startup from WSL rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 25-year-old initially joined Gareth Taylor’s side on an emergency loan from the south coast club in the latter stages of the 2023/24 season. She has now joined the club on a permanent basis, signing a two-year deal until 2026.

Startup will wear the number 40 shirt at City next season, and will provide competition for the likes of Khiara Keating, Sandy MacIver and new arrival Ayaka Yamashita in the goalkeeping ranks.

“It feels great, I’m really excited to be back,” Startup said in an interview with the club website. “A bit longer this time, hopefully, and I’m excited to see what’s next really.

“I really enjoyed my time [here last season]. I knew going into that loan it was a fixed six weeks, so I just wanted to make the most of it and enjoy it and I think I did that. I was just happy at the end of it.”

The shot-stopper expressed her excitement at reuniting with Keating at the club, as well as getting to know the rest of the goalkeeper union.

“I think we were down on numbers a little bit at the tail end of last season,” Startup continued.

“I mainly worked with Khi [Keating] and I loved working with her [she has] so much energy and potential as well.  I’m still yet to meet some of the new recruits, but I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. It does seem a really tight knit group from the outset.”

Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “Katie’s talent was clear to see during her time with us last season. She has the right attitude and mindset to develop herself and help us compete for all honours.”

Startup began her senior career at Charlton Athletic, before signing for the Seagulls in 2020. She had a loan spell back at Charlton before a later spell with Liverpool, and eventually made her senior debut for Brighton against West Ham in the 2021/22 campaign.

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