Katie Startup: 10 things you didn’t know | OneFootball

Manchester City have secured the permanent services of goalkeeper Katie Startup!

The former England youth international returns to the Blues following her emergency loan spell during the end of last season and has penned a two-year deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Here are 10 things about the 25-year-old you may or may not already know…

LITERATURE

When Katie isn’t on the field thwarting opposition efforts, she’s often settling down with a book to unwind and relax.

Across her literary list, she says her favourite book is The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki.

PROUDEST MOMENT

Startup has enjoyed an eventful career to date which as seen her play for five teams across Engsih football’s three divisions.

But she says her proudest moment so far is making her Barclays Women’s Super League debut in Brighton’s 2-0 win over West Ham in March 2022 – helping the Seagulls to a clean sheet and a vital three points.

On that occasion, goals from Aileen Whelan and Inessa Kaagman secured the victory in the capital.

WATCH: Startup: I’m excited to test myself within the group

GREAT OUTDOORS

During the off season, Katie can often be found out in nature.

When asked whether she prefers a city or beach break she said: “Neither – [I prefer] camping in the mountains. I love hiking and climbing, anything outdoorsy.”

LANGUAGES

Not only is the goalkeeper a talented footballer, but she is also talented off the field.

Alongside her ability with the ball at her feet and in her hands, she can speak four languages.

The 25-year-old speaks English, British sign language and bits of Greek and Japanese – and she says she’s looking forward to learning more soon.

IDOL

Perhaps it’s no surprise to see Startup select a fellow goalkeeper as her footballing idol.

The Englishwoman says former Italy international Gianluigi Buffon provided the most inspiration to her during the fledgling stage of her career.

Buffon made 975 professional appearances in club football and won 27 trophies across spells with Parma (two), Juventus (two) and Paris Saint-Germain.

What’s more, he helped Italy to World Cup success in 2006.

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health awareness is a cause close to Startup who changed her number from 1 to 40 while at Charlton to reflect this in 2019.

The reason behind the switch was due to the statistic from the World Health Organisation that year that one person in every 40 second dies to suicide.

She told Charlton in 2020: “One of the reasons I feel so passionately about raising awareness around mental health is because of having seen people who I am very close to greatly affected by it.

“At the time I felt so uneducated about what they were experiencing and how could I help as it was never a thing that had come up or was discussed.

“Hopefully with more awareness we can become better equipped with the tools to support others and seek it for ourselves.”

PROMOTION

After progressing through Gillingham and Chelsea’s academies, Startup signed permanently for Charlton in the summer of 2017.

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During her maiden campaign with the Addicks she helped them to promotion to the Championship before she cemented her position as first-choice goalkeeper in London.

SHUTOUTS

Following promotion to the Championship in 2017/18, Startup made a seamless jump up a division during their first campaign back the following season.

She played all 20 league matches in the second tier in 2018/19 and also kept a fantastic eight clean sheets as Charlton finished third – just two places behind moving into the WSL.

During her fantastic season she was also nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award in November 2018 but just missed out on the prize.

YOUNG LIONESS

During the early stages of Startup’s career, she was often selected to represent England youth teams.

She made her Under-17s debut in a 4-1 win over Serbia in May 2016 and earned seven caps at that level before being called up to the Under-19s.

For the Young Lionesses, she made her bow in a 4-1 win over Israel in April 2018 – alongside Esme Morgan and Lauren Hemp - before representing them a further three times.

PETS

Finally, Katie says she’s a dog person but has a love for all animals!