Manchester City have announced the permanent signing of goalkeeper Katie Startup from Brighton after a brief spell on loan last season.
Startup arrived initially on a short term emergency loan in April this year as City were in the final weeks of a title race against Chelsea that would ultimately end in them being beaten on goal difference by the Londoners.
And the 25-year-old has left the Seagulls to join City permanently this summer for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.
She will compete with City goalkeepers Khiara Keating, Sandy MacIver, and Ayaka Yamashita with fellow new signing Eve Annets on loan at Portsmouth for a year.
Startup was delighted to make a return to the Joie Stadum after a surprise loan move in April, she said: “I took it as a huge compliment that they wanted to bring me back.
“I’m really excited to be back, hopefully a little longer this time!
“I really enjoyed my time here, I wanted to make the most of my six weeks here last season.
Startup added: “Everyone made sure I was welcome and felt safe and happy here. I felt taken care of.
“It allowed me to settle in straight away and help the team.
“I didn’t really know that [a permanent move] was going to be on the table.
“When the opportunity came up it was a no brainer really.
“It’s a big move, I had been a long time at Brighton a long time and enjoyed my time there but I was ready for a change in environment – I learned a lot in my short time here [last season].
“We were down on numbers [when I came in] last season – I mainly worked with Khiara [Keating] last season – but this season I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.
“It seems like a tight knit group from the outset but I’m learning a bit of Japanese too! I’m excited to get to know them.”