Mary Earps retires from international football

England goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced her retirement from international football just five weeks before the Lionesses begin their defence of the European Championships.

The 32-year-old played a huge part in helping England win the competition in 2022 but had recently lost her place in the side to Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton.

Earps made 53 appearances for the Lionesses across eight years and also won the 2023 Women's Finalissima with her country before helping them reach the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The now PSG shotstopper wrote on Instagram: "I wish I could do it forever, but sadly all good things must come to an end.

"My journey has never been the simplest, so in true Mary fashion, this isn't a simple goodbye — right before a major tournament."

"Nonetheless, I know this is the right decision. There are so many dimensions to this decision, the details of which aren't important right now.

"This is a new era and a new England team, and I'm looking forward to watching them this summer.

"I know that while this won't make sense to some who are reading this, you can trust that I would not be doing this unless I thought it was absolutely the right thing to do, as much as it hurts."

Mary Earps holds her Euro winners medal in 2022. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Manager Sarina Wiegman will have Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse both available going into the tournament that kicks off on 2nd July.

Before England's first game against France in the competition on 5th July, England will play a friendly against Jamaica on 29th June.