Blow as Earps leaves team

READING have been dealt a blow by the departure of number one goalkeeper Mary Earps following the expiry of her contract.

The 25-year-old was one of the key figures which guided the Royals to a record fourth-placed finish in this year’s WSL 1.

But the England international has now made the decision to leave and join Champions League finalists VfL Wolfsburg, where she has signed a one-year deal.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Wolfsburg,” said Earps. “To be joining one of the best teams in the world truly is a dream come true.

“The team have had a great year and I’m looking forward to building on that success this season.”

She added: “I’ve wanted to play in Germany since I played in the Champions League there a few years ago.

“It’s a very competitive league and I can’t wait to get started.”

Earps joined Reading in February 2016 from Bristol City, going on to pen a new 18-month contract in January 2017 after usurping Grace Moloney as the club’s first choice stopper and won the club’s player of the season award last year.

The Wokingham Paper understands Earps had offers to depart the Royals before signing her deal in 2017, but opted to stay as part of a side constantly growing under Kelly Chambers.

She featured 16 times this season, with her final appearance coming in the 2-0 win away at Sunderland in April, where she was sent off for a deliberate handball.

Moloney has recently signed a new deal with Reading, but Chambers will now be on the look-out for a new keeper after Earps became the fourth player to depart this summer with Harriet Scott, Melissa Fletcher and Kirsty Linnett also departing on free transfers.

n LAUREN BRUTON has received her first senior England call-up.

The Royals vice captain, 25, had been training with the rest of Phil Neville’s squad having been named on the standby list.

But following the withdrawal of Isobel Christiansen due to injury, Bruton has stepped up and could make her debut in the World Cup qualifier against Russia on Friday.