Grace Geyoro: London City Lionesses announce world record deal

London City are the first team with no affiliation with a men’s club to earn a place in the WSL, and point to a possible new direction for women’s football.

With Kang at the helm, the club is run very differently – operating in female sports markets and attracting independent sponsorships.

The Lionesses have been able to build a structure from scratch, with a board full of women’s football expertise, and facilities specifically catered towards women.

Kang has used this as a negotiating tool and backed the team by investing in player salaries and transfer fees.

They broke the second-tier transfer record last year when they signed young forward Izzy Goodwin from Sheffield United for a six-figure fee, and moving for Geyoro is a remarkable statement of intent.

She is a top-class midfielder, who not only elevates the team, but will make others sit up and take notice of London City’s pull in the market.

There is the added element of it weakening PSG – a big rival to Lyon, who are one of the other clubs owned by Kang.

With so much talent coming into the side, expectation and pressure is likely to increase on London City manager Jocelyn Precheur, who worked with Geyoro at PSG.

He has dealt with a high turnover of players since arriving in 2024 and will be aware of the club’s clear ambitions of becoming a Champions League team.

For the neutrals, London City are an explosive addition to the WSL – a side who are threatening to disrupt the usual order.