Manchester City has lost 11 women players.

After a successful first season in charge, Man City boss Nick Cushing has been hit with the news that 11 of his players will be leaving the club this summer.

The most high-profile departure was captain Steph Houghton, who left for Man United after a decade with the club. Houghton was joined out the door by fellow England internationals Lucy Bronze and Karen Bardsley, as well as experienced Scottish defender Jen Beattie.

In midfield, City said goodbye to Jill Scott, who joined Everton, while Tessa Wullaert and Alex Greenwood also left the club. Up front, Pauline Bremer and Nikita Parris – City’s two top scorers last season – departed for Lyon and Man United respectively.

The departures of Houghton, Bronze, Bardsley, Scott, Wullaert, Greenwood, Bremer and Parris leaves City without eight of their starting XI from last season’s FA WSL title-winning campaign.

Despite the mass exodus, Man City boss Nick Cushing is remaining positive and is looking to the future. “The club has been through a lot of change,” Cushing said. “But we’re really excited about the group of players we have got.”

Cushing has brought in a number of new faces to replace the outgoing players, including midfielders Caroline Weir (Liverpool) and Keira Walsh (Everton), defender Gemma Bonner ( Liverpool) and goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck ( Man United).

Alex Greenwood, one of Man City’s most consistent players over the years, also made the switch to Europe by signing for Lyon. Wales international Jess Fishlock and Alex Windell all left permanently. Man City has also lost out on promising youngster Izzy Christiansen, who opted to retire from football at the age of 27.

Forwards Lauren Hemp (Brighton) and Chloe Kelly ( Everton) have also joined City, as has defender Alex Brooks ( Man United). Cushing will be hoping that his new signings can hit the ground running and help City retain their WSL title.