'Really grateful': Man Utd & England star wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
Manchester United and England women goalkeeper Mary Earps has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award following her excellent showing at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old made a big contribution for the Lionesses over the summer as they reached the World Cup final for the first time in their history.
She was ever-present in goal, keeping three clean sheets and also saving a crucial penalty in the final against Spain at Stadium Australia.
England lost by a solitary goal to La Roja but Earps received the Golden Glove for being the best goalkeeper at the tournament.
Earps has now been awarded with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for 2023 ahead of legendary cricketer Stuart Broad.
Here is what Earps said: “It feels pretty great off the back of a couple of really big years and 2023 has been wild in ways I couldn’t expect. I’m really, really grateful.”
The United star becomes the second women’s footballer to receive the accolade in succession. Team-mate Beth Mead won the prestigious award last year.
Tennis sensation Emma Raducanu won the prize in 2021. The accolade has gone to three women in successive years for the first time since the 1960s.
Earps, who previously helped the Lionesses win the Euro 2022 title, has also played a big part in United’s progress since their promotion to the Women’s Super League.
The shot-stopper was the subject of a world-record bid from Arsenal last summer, but United rejected the proposal. They will be hoping to keep her with a new deal.
Her contract expires at the end of the campaign but manager Marc Skinner recently said that he is optimistic that Earps will commit her future to the Red Devils.
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