Manchester City are delighted to announce that academy graduates Lily Murphy and Codie Thomas have signed their first professional contracts with the Club.
Women's Team
‘An honour’: Thomas recalls senior City debut
Both lifelong City supporters, the pair have been regular fixtures in Gareth Taylor’s matchday squad across the 2024/25 campaign having impressed in pre-season.
Murphy, a lively forward with a phenomenal turn of pace, has gone on to make five appearances in all competitions so far this year, including in our 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium over Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking about signing her first professional deal, the 18-year-old said: “It’s an amazing feeling for me and my family as well.
“It’s a really proud moment. Growing up supporting City, it’s a different feeling to [if I signed with] another club.
“I’ve had really positive conversations with the manager. He’s done the journey himself at a high level so he can give you the advice and show us how it’s done.”
Women's Team
Murphy: Signing alongside Thomas is ‘really special’
Thomas, meanwhile, also made her senior debut in October’s UEFA Women’s Champions League win over St Polten, putting in an assured display at right-back.
She added: “It feels great, it’s a super proud moment for myself and my family. I’ve been a City fan all my life since being a little girl.
“Being an academy player and coming through, I’ve always felt valued in that. Finally getting onto the pitch and representing the club at a senior level is great.
“The academy is amazing. You get everything you’d ever need to progress as a player and a person.”
Manchester City Women Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill, said: “These first professional contracts for Codie and Lily are well deserved.
Women's Team
Who is City’s Lily Murphy?
“As academy graduates, this is also a fantastic endorsement for our academy staff, who are working hard every day to produce a pipeline of talent for the first team. We are looking forward to seeing them grow and develop as players.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor continued: “Both Codie and Lily have been a joy to work with and it’s been good to see them develop as young players.
“They are in a great environment with world-class players, and we will continue to push them as they start on their professional journeys.”