London City Lionesses, a second-tier women’s football club, has made a significant signing with the acquisition of Swedish captain, Kosovare Asllani. The 34-year-old joins the team as a free agent after playing for AC Milan last season, signing a two-year contract with an option for a third. Asllani expressed her excitement about joining the team and contributing to its success, showcasing her enthusiasm for the team’s aspirations and meeting her teammates and fans.
Formed in 2019 as an independent breakaway from Millwall Lionesses, London City Lionesses have announced plans to acquire their training ground and relocate home matches to the 5,000-capacity Hayes Lane stadium. The club does not play its home matches in London but is based in the Kent town of Dartford. In December 2023, the club was acquired by United States businesswoman Michele Kang, who also owns Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais. Kang has expressed her ambition to create a global multi-team women’s football organization, investing strategically in each club’s infrastructure and fan base.
Asllani has previously played for prominent European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. Leading Sweden into critical qualifiers for the UEFA Women’s Euro next month, Asllani’s success in these matches will determine the team’s qualifications for the tournament. At Real Madrid, Asllani was the first high-profile signing after the club rebranded into the women’s game, helping them qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Despite starting the next season in the second tier with London City Lionesses, Asllani is excited to work with Kang and help turn the team’s vision into reality on the field.
London City Lionesses faced a disappointing season in the last campaign, finishing in 8th position out of 12 teams. After flirting with relegation to the third tier, the club underwent a change in management in February which steadied the ship. With the hiring of former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Jocelyn Prêcheur to succeed Remi Allen as head coach, the team is looking to improve their performance and push for promotion to the Women’s Super League next season. Kang expressed her delight in welcoming Asllani to the team, praising her leadership and abilities on the field.
Asllani spoke about her decision to join London City Lionesses despite the potential risk to her international prospects, citing Kang’s ambition as the decisive factor. She highlighted Kang’s commitment to investing in the project and turning her vision into reality, aligning with Asllani’s own values and fighting spirit. Asllani emphasized the importance of having a shared mindset with the club’s owner and the determination to achieve success. With a strong belief in the team’s potential, Asllani is looking forward to writing a new chapter in the club’s history and working towards winning the first league title under Kang’s leadership.
As London City Lionesses prepare for the upcoming season with Asllani on board, the team is focused on improving their performance and pushing for promotion to the Women’s Super League. With the support and investment from Michele Kang, the club is determined to achieve their goals and establish themselves as a competitive force in women’s football. Asllani’s experience and leadership will be key in driving the team towards success on the field, while Kang’s strategic vision and commitment to developing the club’s infrastructure will provide a solid foundation for future growth and success.
