Khiara Keating

Khiara Ilhaan Keating (born 27 June 2004) is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the England national team. She has previously played on loan for AFC Fylde and Coventry United.

Early life
Keating grew up in Ardwick, Manchester, where her mother set up a team for her to play in, initially as a striker. She trialed for Manchester United as a goalkeeper at 6 years-old. Keating played for Manchester United until the age of 11, before moving across to the City academy.

Club career
Keating made appearances on the bench for Manchester City, during the 2020–21 season, before being loaned out to National League North's AFC Fylde at the start of the next season.

Due to a long injury list at Manchester City however she was recalled after a short period and a few appearances as cover for more senior players. She made her debut for the side on 12 January 2022, starting in a FA Women's League Cup against Leicester City. A few days later on 16 January 2022 she made her league debut with 90 minutes against Aston Villa.

In January 2023, Keating joined Coventry United on loan until the end of the 2022–23 Women's Championship season, making four appearances in total of the club.

2023–2024
In October 2023, she was nominated for WSL Player of the Month for the 2023–2024 season. In November, she signed a three-year extension with City, after starting in the first six games of the season, describing her breakthrough as surreal.

As of December 2023, Keating had the third-highest save percentage of the league for the season, and according to Goal.com, is part of an entirely new generation of goalkeepers. She has become City's first-choice goalkeeper after displacing Ellie Roebuck.

In the fifth round of the 2023–24 FA Cup against Arsenal on 11 February 2024, Keating provided a "worldie" performance. Her series of saves were met with critical acclaim, being described as a hero, and playing a starring role to secure a 1–0 victory.

At the end of the season, Keating became the youngest goalkeeper to win the WSL Golden Glove, keeping 9 clean sheets in total.

International career
She made one appearance for England under-15's and made her debut for the under 19 side in 2022 U-19 Championship qualification against the Republic of Ireland on 20 October 2021, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0. In summer of 2022, she went on to feature as the first choice goalkeeper in the group stage of the final tournament. In October 2022, Keating played in 2023 U-19 Championship qualification with the under 19s, keeping a clean sheet against Slovenia.

On 25 August 2022, Keating was named as part of the England under-23 squad for a fixture against Norway, where she was as unused substitute keeper. In September 2023, Keating was again an unused substitute in the U23 European League against Norway and Belgium.

Keating received her first senior call-up on 17 October 2023 for a pair of UEFA Women's Nations League matches against Belgium.

Honours
Manchester City Individual
 * FA Women's League Cup: 2021–22


 * Manchester City Rising Star Award: 2022–23
 * WSL Golden Glove: 2023–24
 * WSL Player of the Month: February 2024