England goalkeeper Sandy MacIver has become the latest player to sign for Manchester City as their squad rebuild continues.
MacIver, 23, signed from Everton and will wear the number 22 shirt for the forthcoming campaign after agreeing a three year deal.
The move will strengthen City’s squad at a time when they have lost the experience of the retired Karen Bardsley and Karima Benameur Taieb from their goalkeeping ranks and had to play teenager Khiara Keating in goal at times during last season.
MacIver will provide her international team mate Ellie Roebuck, who spent time on the sidelines with injury last term, with a genuine battle for the goalkeeper gloves.
MacIver has already spent time at City’s academy set-up after appearing for Everton in the FA Youth Cup final in 2014.
She departed City in 2016 to move to the United States on a soccer scholarship and became the first choice ‘keeper for Clemson Tigers in the Atlantic Coast Conference during three years in the States.
MacIver rejoined Everton after graduating from Clemson University in January 2020 and made her professional debut just weeks later in a 3-1 league victory over Reading.
She was later named Player of the Match in the 2020 Women’s FA Cup Final against City at Wembley Stadium where she made several saves – but could not prevent Gareth Taylor’s side winning 3-1 after extra time.
And after representing England at various youth levels from U17 upwards, she became a senior international after making her debut in a 6-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland in February 2021.
She was also part of the Team GB women’s football squad in the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and was named alongside Ellie Roebuck and Karen Bardsley in the initial squad.
Speaking about her move, she said: “I’m really happy to be back here, this time as a professional player – Manchester City is a world class club across the board, and I’m very much looking forward to being a part of that.
“I feel like it’s really important at this time in my career to take my game to the next level and being able to train and learn from the world-class players and coaches here will help me to do that.
“It’s a really ambitious club who aspire to win trophies on a regular basis, and that’s something I’m excited to be involved in over the coming seasons.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We’re so pleased to have been able to bring Sandy back to City – over the past few seasons, she has worked incredibly hard to establish herself as one of English football’s top goalkeepers.
“She is a player I’ve admired for a long time, but especially during my time in charge of the team so far – whenever we’ve come up against her, she has shown just what a talent she is.
“Whether it be for club or country, her dedication and commitment to her craft is clear to see and to have her and her fellow England compatriot in Ellie [Roebuck] working together and competing for that number one spot on a daily basis will be massively beneficial for both players.
“She has a very bright future ahead of her though and we’re excited to be on this journey alongside her over the coming years.”