Katie Startup has joined Birmingham City after leaving Manchester City when her contract expired, with the newly promoted Women's Super League side believed to have agreed a two-year deal. The 27-year-old was part of the City squad that won the Women's Super League title and the Women's FA Cup in 2025-26, and now moves to Birmingham as they look to establish themselves in the top flight next season.
Startup did not make an appearance for Manchester City after joining from Brighton in 2024, but she became a fan favourite because of her professionalism and her support for the goalkeeping group in training. Her move to Birmingham follows a season in which she began on loan at Everton before being recalled by City in November for their title run-in.
"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."
Why did Birmingham make the move?
Birmingham signed Startup because manager Amy Merricks knows her qualities well and believes she will add experience to the squad. Merricks said Startup's professionalism, attitude and background across several Women's Super League environments will be valuable as Birmingham aim to cement their place in the division.
"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."
What has been her career path so far?
Startup graduated from Chelsea's academy before joining Charlton Athletic in 2017 and later moving to Brighton in the top tier three years later. She had loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Liverpool and Manchester City before eventually joining the champions permanently in 2024, and her latest move takes her to another newly promoted side in Birmingham City.
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