London City Lionesses Secure Kadidiatou Diani on Three-Year Deal
Kadidiatou Diani, the French forward with over 100 international caps, has signed with London City Lionesses on a three-year contract for a transfer fee exceeding £500,000.
The 31-year-old announced her departure from Lyon on Monday, despite having one year left on her contract. London City had been engaged in advanced negotiations for several weeks. Although other European clubs expressed interest, Diani opted to join the Women's Super League (WSL).
Diani joined Lyon in 2023 after three seasons at Paris St-Germain, where she scored 41 goals in 93 appearances. During her time at Lyon, she was the second highest scorer at the 2023 World Cup.
"It is an opportunity for me to discover a new country, a new city, a new team, and I can't wait to start this next chapter," said Diani.
"It's an independent club and very ambitious. It's something which is quite rare in women's football and something I believe in a lot.
"We have objectives - to win as many matches as possible and qualify for the Champions League. Winning a trophy for this club would be brilliant too.
"I think we are going to experience a very beautiful season."
At PSG, Diani won two French Cups and a league title but did not secure a Women’s Champions League title with Lyon, having lost twice in the final. She sustained a knee injury in the semi-finals last season, which caused her to miss the final where Barcelona defeated Lyon 2-0.
Diani will reunite with London City owner Michele Kang, who also owns Lyon and Washington Spirit.
London City finished sixth in their debut WSL season and have made significant additions during the transfer window, including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, and Spain defender Mapi Leon.
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Diani's signing adds to a star-studded list of high-profile players joining London City under Kang's ownership. The club previously made headlines by signing Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani in the second tier and breaking the world transfer record last season with Grace Geyoro. Putellas' arrival this month was considered the biggest in WSL history, and Diani's signing further strengthens the squad.
London City’s financial resources position them to challenge the established elite in women's football. However, Kang's extensive spending, which includes investments beyond player acquisitions such as training facilities and medical research, has sparked discussions about financial sustainability within the WSL.
The WSL enforces a salary cap whereby players cannot earn more than 80% of a club's total revenue, plus additional investment up to £4 million. London City's total revenue figures have not been disclosed, as they only gained promotion to the WSL last year.
Concerns about multi-club ownership, a topic familiar in men's football, have also emerged due to Kang's ability to outspend competitors. The transfer of players between clubs under the same ownership for fees has been viewed as controversial.
Nonetheless, Diani was pursued by several clubs and ultimately chose London City amid competition. She brings extensive experience and complements the club’s existing attacking options, including young England international Freya Godfrey.
While some new signings were free transfers, the club also retains a core of promising young talent. Regardless of opinions on London City's use of the WSL's salary cap or multi-club ownership, Kang's investments have generated some of the most notable transfers in European women's football.
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