The Michelle Kang machine waits for no one. London City Lionesses are ready to go full steam ahead after securing promotion in their first full season since the American businesswoman bought the club.
Of course there are so many elements at play that ensured success for London City last year even if that foundation was laid by Kang. Her continued investment in the club is pivotal to their chances this season in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
London City Lionesses are the first independent women’s club to be promoted to the top-flight in the WSL era. How successful their blueprint can be will surely help define the future of the women’s game in this country. While it might just be one small step for Kang it is a giant leap for London City.
The Halfway Line previews just how London City Lionesses just might fare against the best sides in the country.
London City Lionesses, the Champions of the WSL2
Last summer was a show of intent from London City Lionesses. Former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Jocelyn Prêcheur was brought in at the start of last season as the Bromley based side bared their teeth. Alongside that statement managerial appointment came several high profile on the pitch signings. Japanese World Cup winner and former Ballon d’Or nominee Saki Kumagai and Swedish captain and major tournament machine Kosovare Asllani were the stand outs.
Their season concluded with a make or break clash with Birmingham City. If London City drew or won, the side would be promoted, but if Birmingham City won they would return to the top-flight instead. Isobel Goodwin, who had been central to the club’s stellar season opened the scoring. Her sixteenth goal of the season came in spectacular style on that final day.
After racing into a 2-0 lead, Birmingham City bounced back to draw level at 2-2 with minutes remaining. But London City held on and celebrated promotion to the top flight with owner Michelle Kang joining them for the trophy lift to mixed public reaction.
All change at London City Lionesses in busy transfer window
Perhaps unsurprisingly, London City have been the busiest club in the league in this transfer window. Prêcheur has been clear that he does not want to repeat the mistake of recently promoted clubs and fail to strengthen enough. Among their most high profile recruits are Italian captain Elena Linari, former Barcelona defender Jana Fernández and Dutch midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk. All three played significant minutes in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last year and have faced the highest quality opposition with regularity. Their most recent additions Katie Zelem and Alana Kennedy arrive from Angel City with vast experience of the WSL.
Perhaps the most savvy signing though is former Brighton forward Nikita Parris. For a club with zero top flight experience they needed to supplement their playing squad with WSL know how. Parris has played for more clubs in the top flight than she hasn’t. The 31-year-old was a big part of Brighton’s success in finishing fifth last season, managing 12 goal contributions as only six players in the entire league registered more.
On the other hand the club have also seen the departure of a number of last season’s key figures. Player of the Match in that vital final day clash against Birmingham City Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah departs for Nottingham Forest. The Ghana international is joined at Forest by Georgia Brougham. Brougham was a key part of London City’s promotion winning side last season, so much so that she made the Sofa Score team of the season in the second tier. Fans will be deprived of the Guinness World Record breaking long throw of Megan Campbell, another consistent figure at Hayes Lane who was let go in the summer.
So far this window, they have brought in 14 players and let 13 depart and they are still working on further business. Much will depend on how far they can gel this new team together and pivotally, how quickly they can do it.
WSL 2 stars vital to London City’s continued success
Even with the plethora of big names that have joined the Bromley based side this summer, those who helped them to promotion are still vital.
Kosovare Asllani was crucial to the side’s promotion last season. The Swede, who has enjoyed a magnificent career, is still good enough to feature for any side in the division. She nabbed 11 goal contributions in the league last term, with six assists- the most in the WSL 2. Asllani scored a magnificent late equaliser from a free kick against Charlton Athletic. That goal earned her side a crucial point in the dying embers of the season.
Asllani returns to the top flight of England after eight years away having featured for Manchester City previously. The attacking midfielder of Albanian descent played her 200th match for Sweden during EURO 2025 this summer. She also scored the opener in their quarter final defeat to England.
Isobel Goodwin was the star of the side however, she managed 16 league goals averaging a goal every 92 minutes. Goodwin was awarded the Player of the Season in the WSL 2 last term. She is ready to have her shot at the big time.
When Goodwin spoke to The Halfway Line ahead of the final game of last season, she spoke highly on the club’s ambition, and her own.
“I hope I would be able to compete in it [the WSL] as well,” she told The Halfway Line. “I think we have a very, very good chance. And I think we’ll probably be in there and hopefully go on to win the WSL in the next few years. That’s the aim.”
London City 2025/26 predictions
Nothing comes easy in the top flight of English football. London City’s baptism of fire begins by facing three of last season’s top four in their first four WSL games. Expect an uneasy start as players try to grow accustomed to each other and to playing against elite opposition together.
Yet once London City inevitably find their feet, the more established sides in the division would be foolish not to be looking nervously over their shoulder.
