Birmingham City Women are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Katie Startup.
The 27-year-old joins Blues from Manchester City, bringing experience across the Women's Super League and Women's Super League 2.
A product of Chelsea's academy, Startup began her senior career with Charlton Athletic, helping the Addicks secure promotion to the Women's Championship before earning a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2020. During her four years on the South Coast, she gained valuable top-flight experience and enjoyed loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Liverpool and Manchester City.
After initially joining City on an emergency loan towards the end of the 2023/24 season, Startup completed a permanent move to the club in 2024.
Startup began the 2025/26 season on loan at Everton before being recalled by Manchester City in November. She finished the campaign as part of the City squad that secured a domestic double, lifting both the Women's Super League and Adobe Women's FA Cup.
On the international stage, Startup has represented England at U17 and U19 level.
Katie Startup said: "I'm really excited about the project. Coming up from the WSL2 off the back of an impressive season, being part of a new era for the club is really exciting.
"I've worked with Amy and Hope 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."
Head Coach Amy Merricks said: “Having worked with Katie previously, I know exactly the qualities she'll bring to this football club. She's a dedicated professional, a brilliant teammate 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.”
