Mary Earps crowned 2023 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

Amid the exponential rise of women's football across the globe, the 30-year-old has quickly become a household name owing to her exploits with the Lionesses over the past 18 months.

After collecting a Euro 2022 winners' medal, Earps won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper at the 2023 Women's World Cup, having kept three clean sheets throughout the tournament.

Earps also saved a second-half penalty from Jenni Hermoso on the final - four months on from denying Brazil's Tamires during England's Finalissima triumph - although the Lionesses would suffer World Cup heartbreak as Spain prevailed 1-0 in the final.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old's exploits were recognised with more individual accolades, as after being named the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper last year, she was crowned England Women's Player of the Year for 2022-23.

Earps also finished fifth in the voting for the 2023 Ballon d'Or Feminin - the highest ranking of any English player - and she beat current holder Bonmati to the BBC honour.

Chelsea and Australia forward Samantha Kerr placed third in the voting, while Barcelona's Swedish attacker Fridolina Rolfo and Wolfsburg's German striker Alexandra Popp were also nominated.

"I am truly honoured. To be the first keeper to get their hands on the award is special and I am incredibly grateful," Earps told BBC Sport after becoming the first Man United player to win the award.

Alongside her feats in an England jersey, Earps played a starring role for Man United in the 2022-23 Women's Super League season, keeping 14 clean sheets in 22 games - four more than Arsenal's Manuela Zinsberger - to win the Golden Glove.

The Red Devils finished second in the table - just two points behind champions Chelsea - to qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever, and they finished as runners-up to Chelsea in the Women's FA Cup.

Off the field, the England international also played a key role in pressuring Nike to reverse their decision not to sell replica 'Earps' jerseys, although she admitted that she expected Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati to take the prize.

"To be honest, I thought Bonmati might take it. I mean, what a player," Earps added. "There has been a lot that has happened this year. Obviously, we've had the World Cup. We've had everything that's gone on with the goalkeeper shirts.

"I've had the whole goalkeeper union behind me, it seemed like. Not even just that, just incredible support from the public and many people. Last year was an incredible season for United. I think it's been an incredible year, an incredible couple of years. I'm just trying to make the most of everything really."

This season, Earps has already kept three clean sheets for Man United, although the Red Devils' maiden Champions League campaign came to a premature end with a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second qualifying round.

Earps is currently with the England squad preparing for next month's Women's Nations League clashes with the Netherlands and Scotland on December 1 and 5 respectively.