London City Lionesses have confirmed the arrival of French forward Kadidiatou Diani from OL Lyonnes, making her the club's sixth signing of the summer transfer window. Diani, 31, has signed a three-year contract that runs until 2029.
The France international joins for a reported fee north of £500,000, a transfer that moves between two clubs owned by American businesswoman Michele Kang, who purchased London City in February 2024 and owns Lyon outright.
The Guinean-born French international announced on Monday that she would leave Lyon, despite having a year remaining on her contract. Reports linking her with London City followed soon after, and the Women's Super League club confirmed the signing on Wednesday, July 15.
Who Is Kadidiatou Diani And Why Is She One Of Europe's Best Forwards?
Born in Paris on April 1, 1995, Diani began her senior career with Juvisy (now Paris FC), where she scored 17 goals in 38 league games across two seasons. She moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 before joining Lyon on a four-year contract in August 2023.
At international level, Diani has earned 126 caps for France and scored 26 goals. She helped France reach the semi-finals of UEFA Women's Euro 2022 and the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where she finished as a joint second‑top scorer and claimed the Silver Boot.
Her 2023-24 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign was outstanding. She finished as the competition's top scorer with eight goals and earned a place in UEFA's Team of the Season. She has also been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or Feminin on multiple occasions.
Diani first made her mark internationally by helping France win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2012. Since then, she has established herself as one of Europe's leading forwards through successful spells with PSG and Lyon.
"I'm really happy to have signed here," Diani said upon confirmation of the deal. "It is an opportunity to discover a new country, a new city, a new team, and I can't wait to start this next chapter. I'm excited to meet my new teammates, start work at the training ground, and meet the fans."
London City Lionesses Continue Their Ambitious Summer Rebuild
Diani’s signing rounds off a remarkable six-week recruitment spell for London City, who have added six players since the summer window opened. Goalkeeper Mary Earps was the first major arrival, signing a two-year deal.
The former England number one is expected to solve a problem position for London City after Elene Lete endured an inconsistent debut WSL campaign in 2025-26.
Alexia Putellas was next through the door, ending 14 years at Barcelona to join on a free transfer. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner left as the second-most-capped player in the club's women's history, having made 507 appearances, and arrives with four Women's Champions League titles to her name.
Mapi Leon became the fifth arrival of the week, bringing extensive experience and a decorated career to Eder Maestre’s squad. The Spain international leaves Barcelona with 24 major trophies, adding further quality to a defence that will be among the most experienced in the WSL.
London City also signed German forward Nicole Anyomi, who scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 20 Bundesliga starts for Eintracht Frankfurt last season. Denmark international Janni Thomsen completed the club’s summer recruitment after joining from Utah Royals on a two-year deal.
The arrivals have been matched by seven confirmed departures. Katie Zelem, Gesa Marashi, Maddi Wilde, Julia Roddar, Cerys Brown and Lotta Lindstrom have all left permanently, while Teyah Goldie has joined Crystal Palace on loan.
What Diani's Arrival Means For London City's WSL Ambitions
London City begins its second WSL season in August 2026 after finishing sixth in their debut. The target this time is European qualification. Diani said the club's ambition to qualify for European competition was one of the reasons she chose to make the move.
London City has already sold more season tickets for 2026-27 than it had by the opening day of its debut WSL season, reflecting the commercial impact these signings are generating beyond the pitch.
After overseeing a major squad rebuild in his first season, Eder Maestre must now integrate another wave of signings before the league begins.
