Katie Zelem swaps Manchester United for Angel City as England Lioness signs two-year deal - 'Huge step in my career'

It is a summer of change at Manchester United, with Katie Zelem following Mary Earps out of the exit door. One of the club's stalwarts, Zelem departs after a six-year spell in which she helped propel United towards the upper echelons of the women's game. She now heads across the Atlantic for a new challenge in the National Women's Soccer League with Angel City.

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Katie Zelem has left Manchester United to join National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Angel City.

The 28-year-old heads Stateside after six years with United, following the expiration of her contract with Marc Skinner’s side.

Her move to the NWSL club was teased by the Los Angeles outfit with a voice note published on the club’s X account, bleeping out the name ‘Katie’.

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"I'm thrilled to sign for Angel City and take on this exciting new challenge," she told the club's official website. "The opportunity to compete in the NWSL, one of the most competitive leagues in the world, is a huge step in my career.

"I'm eager to test myself in a new league, against top players whilst contributing to the success of this ambitious club."

Zelem was an integral figure in the rebuild of United's women's team, helping them win promotion to the Women's Super League in 2019.

Her crowning glory was lifting the team's first major trophy after skippering the side to a dominant 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in last season's FA Cup final.

She becomes the second high-profile departure from the club since Mary Earps moved across the English Channel to join Paris Saint-Germain last month.

Zelem also follows in the footsteps of fellow Lionesses Esme Morgan and Jess Carter in making a move to the NWSL, after their respective transfers to Washington Spirit and Gotham.

"Katie Zelem is a wonderful addition to our squad at the perfect time," said ACFC general manager Angela Hucles Mangano.

"She has honed leadership skills at high levels as the captain of Manchester United, is a skilled midfielder with an elite-level football acumen, and her desire to bring championships to LA was palpable upon first communication.

"We are excited to welcome her."

The outgoing United skipper will hope this move reignites her international career after falling out of the selection picture in recent times and missing the four Euro 2025 qualifiers this summer.

Katie Zelem in action for England at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Image credit: Getty Images

She has 12 England caps and made her senior debut in the 20-0 thrashing of Latvia in November 2021.

Zelem was provisionally named in England’s squad for their Euro 2022 campaign, but missed out on a place in the final group.

The midfielder was selected for the final squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup a year later, as Sarina Wiegman’s side reached the final before being beaten by Spain.

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The Premier League returns this weekend, and Liverpool’s trip to promoted Ipswich Town is live on TNT Sports.

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