Birmingham City have signed goalkeeper Katie Startup following her exit from Manchester City when her contract expired.

The 27-year-old was part of the City squad that won their first Women’s Super League title in a decade and the Women’s FA Cup in 2025-26.

Startup did not make an appearance for the club after joining from Brighton in 2024, but became a fan favourite due to her professionalism and support for the goalkeeping group in training.

She joins newly promoted Birmingham City on what is believed to be a two-year deal, as they hope to cement their place in the WSL next season.

“Coming up from the WSL 2 off the back of an impressive season and being part of a new era for the club is really exciting,” said Startup.

“I’ve worked with [manager] Amy Merricks and [director] Hope Powell before, for four years at Brighton, and I know they share the same values that I do.

“I’m really excited to work with them again and that was a really big deciding factor for me.”

Having graduated from Chelsea’s academy, Startup joined Charlton Athletic in 2017 before a move to Brighton in the top tier three years later.

She had loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Liverpool and Manchester City, eventually joining the champions permanently in 2024.

Startup also began last season on loan at Everton before being recalled by City in November for their title run-in.

“Having worked with Katie previously, I know exactly the qualities she’ll bring to this football club,” added Birmingham boss Merricks.

“She’s a dedicated professional, a brilliant team-mate and someone who is always looking to improve.

“She drives standards every day and brings experience from a number of environments across the WSL, which will be invaluable for this group.”

There was a sense at Villa Park last season they were getting into a party they were not invited to by qualifying for the Champions League.

Villa gatecrashed the top five for the second time in three seasons, finishing fourth to comfortably secure entry to club football’s elite competition for 2026-27.

Emery has achieved this after inheriting a squad that was 14th in the table, three points above the relegation zone, in November 2022.

Villa’s revival has happened despite having to sell, with for example Jacob Ramsey joining Newcastle for £40m last summer, to ensure compliance with financial rules.

Uefa’s Squad Cost Ratio limits the amount clubs spend on transfers, wages and agent fees to 70% of their revenue. These financial shackles have long been a frustration for Villa.

Selling Rogers was the easiest way to comply with the regulations but it means large-scale spending to replace the England forward as well as Tielemans and Digne is unlikely without further significant exits.

Fringe players will leave though. Hull are keen on Leon Bailey but that may have to be an initial loan given the Tigers’ own finances, while Evann Guessand can also depart. Tammy Abraham is however happy at Villa Park and not looking to leave.

Villa would have preferred to keep Tielemans but could not afford to renegotiate his deal, which had two years left, before United triggered his £35m release clause.

That is at least pure profit in the books after his free transfer arrival from Leicester City in 2023.

With Tielemans and Rogers gone and with Digne poised to follow, Villa have lost 489 Premier League appearances from the squad – plus two of the players who scored in the Europa League final.

So what is the project Codina sees at West Ham?

Guarino, who led Juventus to four successive Serie A titles, took over from Rehanne Skinner at West Ham midway through last season.

She stated in January that “step by step” they would improve their style of play, but it was clear that organisation and a focus on defensive stability was the priority.

But that could change this season.

“Honestly, I think that we’re going to see a West Ham that the fans will be proud of, and that’s the main thing for me,” said Codina.

“It will be a recognisable West Ham – a team that can play football, and that will try to have the ball as much as possible.

“With Rita, you could see their main characteristic was to defend, but I think that this season we’re going to try to improve on the ball.”

Codina says she already feels at home, having begun pre-season training this week, but it helps that she is still living in London.

The centre-back moved to England in 2023 after nine years at Barcelona, where she progressed from the club’s academy and into the first team.

Now she wants to give back to the community and is already giving up her time to help West Ham’s foundation work with young children in east London.

“I’m enjoying the life here. I love to learn new cultures. London has something special. I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible,” said Codina.

“Football gives me this opportunity and I’m going to try to use it as good as possible.

“I tell [the children] that it’s not only about winning. It’s not only about going to WSL. It’s not only playing for the national team. It’s all the other things.”