When Kadidatou Diani walked off the pitch for the last time in a Lyon shirt last season, she had no idea her next move would take her to a club that shares the same owner as the one she was leaving behind. But that's exactly what happened. This week, the French forward signed for London City Lionesses in a deal worth more than £500,000, moving from one of Europe's most decorated clubs to an ambitious newcomer in England's top league.
The 31-year-old announced her departure from Lyon on Monday, even though she still had a year left on her contract there. She spent three seasons at the French powerhouse after moving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, scoring 41 goals in 93 appearances. At PSG, she collected two French Cup trophies and a league title, though she missed out on winning the Women's Champions League with Lyon, losing finals twice — the most recent to Barcelona last season. Diani also missed that final herself after suffering a knee injury in the semi-finals.
So why would a player of her caliber choose a club that only earned promotion to the Women's Super League last year? For Diani, it was about the project. "It's an independent club and very ambitious," she said. "It's something which is quite rare in women's football and something I believe in a lot." She has clear goals: win matches, qualify for the Champions League, and maybe even lift a trophy. "I think we are going to experience a very beautiful season," she added.
London City have made a habit of turning heads in the transfer market. Under American owner Michele Kang — who also owns Lyon and Washington's MLS side — the club has pulled off remarkable signings. Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani joined from the second tier, they broke the world transfer record on Grace Geyoro, and this month they signed two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, widely seen as the biggest transfer in WSL history. They've now added Diani to a squad that also includes former England goalkeeper Mary Earps and Spain defender Mapi Leon.
But the spending has sparked debate. WSL clubs face a soft salary cap: players cannot earn more than 80% of the club's total revenue, plus up to £4 million in additional investment. London City's total revenue hasn't been made public yet, since they're a newly promoted club. Some worry that multi-club ownership and clever spending could give certain teams an unfair edge in women's football.
Diani's move is also unusual because she went from one club owned by Kang to another. While that arrangement has attracted scrutiny, multiple European clubs were reportedly interested — and in the end, it was Diani's decision to join London City. She will add experience and firepower to a young squad led by England international Freya Godfrey, and she'll do it in a city she's never lived in before. "It is an opportunity for me to discover a new country, a new city, a new team," she said. "I can't wait to start this next chapter."