# 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 under-23 team. She 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 became 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.
Keating became the youngest goalkeeper to win the WSL Golden Glove, keeping 9 clean sheets in total. She finished the season with the most minutes played for an English under-21 year old in the WSL season, helping to successfully gain a call up to the senior squad.

## International career
### Youth

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 started in each group stage of the final tournament. 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 October 2022, Keating played in 2023 U-19 Championship qualification with the under 19s, keeping a clean sheet against Slovenia. In September and November 2023 she was again selected for the team despite not making any appearances.
On 28 November 2024, Keating made her debut for the under-23s against Norway as part of a U23 Euro fixture resulting in a 0–0 draw.

### Senior

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

## Personal life

On 23 July 2024, Keating appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court, alongside her mother Nicola, charged with possession of a Class C drug namely canisters of nitrous oxide. Both women pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until a further hearing at the same court on 10 September. At that second hearing both women confirmed their not guilty pleas and a trial date was set for 17 November 2025.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 2 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA cup | FA cup | League cup | League cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Manchester City | 2020–21 | Women's Super League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2021–22 | Women's Super League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2022–23 | Women's Super League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2023–24 | Women's Super League | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2024–25 | Women's Super League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Manchester City | Total | Total | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| AFC Fylde (loan) | 2021–22 | Women's National League North | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Coventry United (loan) | 2022–23 | Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 45 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 59 | 0 |

## Honours

Manchester City
* FA Women's League Cup: 2021–22
Individual
* Manchester City Rising Star Award: 2022–23
* WSL Golden Glove: 2023–24
* WSL Player of the Month: February 2024
* PFA WSL Team of the Year: 2023–24