London City Lionesses have signed French international Kadidiatou Diani from Lyon. The 31-year-old has joined on a three-year deal through to 2029. Her departure came from Lyon despite having a year left on her contract with them.
Diani becomes the latest high-profile signing for the club after the arrival of two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas, Spain defender Mapi Leon, and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Diani moved to Lyon from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. At Lyon, she scored 41 goals in 93 appearances.
“It is an opportunity for me to discover a new country, a new city, a new team, and I can’t wait to start this next chapter,” said Diani.
“It’s an independent club and very ambitious. It’s something which is quite rare in women’s football and something I believe in a lot.
“We have objectives – to win as many matches as possible and qualify for the Champions League. Winning a trophy for this club would be brilliant too.
“I think we are going to experience a very beautiful season.”
“It’s an independent club and very ambitious,” Diani said in a club press release. “It’s something which is quite rare in women’s football and something I believe in a lot.
“We don’t necessarily need to depend on a men’s club to compete at the highest level, win titles and have a lot of success. I believe in the project.”
During her time at PSG, Diani won two French Cups and a league title. She scored 74 goals for them in 114 league appearances.
During her time at Lyon, Diani missed out on Women’s Champions League success with Lyon as they lost twice in the finals. She also suffered a knee injury in the semi-finals, which meant she missed the final last season as Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0.
Diani will reunite with owner Michele Kang, who also owns OL Lyonnes and Washington Spirit.
For France, she has received 126 caps and was an important part of the side that reached the 2022 European Championship semi-finals and World Cup quarter-finals the following year. Diani also earned the Silver Boot in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as the second-highest scorer with 4 goals.
Her move to London City will reunite her with France team-mate Delphine Cascarino, who moved to the Women’s Super League club in January.
