Mary Earps Announces Baby Name and Welcomes First Child
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has revealed the name of her newborn baby boy in a heartwarming social media post following a secret pregnancy. The former England keeper, 33, and her partner Kitty Forrest became parents for the first time earlier this week, marking a brand new chapter in their lives as a family of three. Earps, who recently completed a summer move to Women's Super League side London City Lionesses, shared an intimate photograph alongside a caption confirming the child is named Xander. The announcement generated immense public interest, with the shared picture receiving close to 100,000 likes on Instagram in just 12 hours.
The arrival of baby Xander follows a detailed statement released by Earps on Friday confirming the life-changing news to her supporters and followers. Earps wrote in her statement that she could not quite believe she was writing the words, explaining that she and Forrest were completely over the moon and still trying to process the momentous occasion. The couple described the path to parenthood as an emotional journey and expressed excitement about beginning their next chapter. Earps noted that she is now balancing life as a full-time professional athlete with her new responsibilities as a mother, promising to share updates through her YouTube channel.
Background on Mary Earps and Her Football Career
Mary Earps is one of the most recognizable figures in modern women's football, having built a stellar reputation as a world-class shot-stopper. Before joining London City Lionesses in the summer, she played for several high-profile clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. Her domestic career has seen her compete at the highest levels of the domestic game, earning numerous plaudits for her exceptional reflexes and leadership on the pitch. On the international stage, Earps represented the England national team, earning 53 caps for the Lionesses before announcing her international retirement last year. Her tenure with the national team included historic successes that captured the attention of the entire nation and inspired a new generation of young goalkeepers.
Public Reaction and Support From Fellow Lionesses
The announcement of the birth brought an immediate wave of warm wishes and public congratulations from prominent figures within the football community. Fellow Lionesses icons such as Chloe Kelly, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, and Ella Toone were among the first to send their congratulations to the new parents. The widespread support highlights the strong bonds formed within the women's football community over years of shared tournaments and triumphs. Fans and teammates alike flooded social media platforms with positive messages, celebrating the expanding family and wishing the couple well in their new roles.
Opening Up About Personal Life and Relationships
Earps first publicly revealed that she was in a same-sex relationship as she prepared to release her autobiography last year. Speaking to the BBC at the time, she explained her reasoning for sharing that aspect of her life with the public. She noted that while she had always tried to keep her personal life separate from her professional career, omitting such an important part of her life from the book would have felt inauthentic. Earps shared that she was in a very happy relationship and felt ready to share that reality with everyone after close friends and family had known for some time. This openness has continued with the announcement of Forrest's pregnancy and the subsequent arrival of their son, as the couple chooses to bring supporters along on their new adventure.
What Lies Ahead for the New Family
As Earps adjusts to life with a newborn, she faces the unique challenge of balancing elite athletic training with full-time motherhood. Having recently transferred to London City Lionesses, she remains an active and dedicated player in the Women's Super League. Earps has indicated to her followers that she plans to document parts of this transition on her YouTube channel, giving supporters a closer look at her daily routine. The family is currently spending time together in their own private bubble, enjoying the first few days of parenthood while taking in every moment of the experience.
