With the transfer window drawing to a close next week WSL newcomers, London City Lionesses, are certainly looking promising heading into the 25/26 season. With 15 signings and 13 departures, Hayes Lane is set to house an outstanding 25 player team this year.
Between the sticks, former loanee Sophia Poor made her loan deal permanent before heading to Nottingham Forest on loan for the upcoming season. Elene Lete also switched San Sebastián for London, bringing a wealth of experience having won the UEFA Nations League with Spain as well as representing them in the Olympics.
London City Lionesses’ defence was undoubtedly their main focus points this window with a staggering seven transfers, almost half of their signings. Starting things off, Teyah Goldie made her loan move from Arsenal permanent after impressing both Joecelyn Prêcheur and the fans last season. As well as this, we saw the additions of Isa Kardinaal, Poppy Pattinson and Elena Linari, bringing a mix of youth and experience to the side.
More recently, Jana Fernandez joined the blues for free amid Barcelona Femení’s attempts to downsize and cuts squad costs, later being joined by Australia international, Alanna Kennedy, both of whom bring a wealth of experience both domestically and internationally despite their contrasting ages. One final signing saw 19-year-old Wassa Sangaré join the side on a one year loan deal from Lyon.
The midfield had a seemingly quiet transfer window in terms of numbers however huge in terms of names with Danïelle van de Donk and Katie Zelem joining the side at either ends of the window, both players who bring experience in terms of domestic and international appearances and leadership roles in former captaincy for Katie Zelem. Paula Partido put pen to paper in early August however will be spending the season on loan to Dux Logrono in Liga F.
The Blues are set to have a bolstering attack in the coming season with three new members to compete with last seasons championship winners. Sanni Franssi was the team’s second signing of the summer, joining the club from Real Sociedad in Liga F before later being joined by former Arsenal loanee, Freya Godfrey. Nikita Parris was the teams most recent attacking signing, joining the club after a season on the south coast with Brighton & Hove Albion last year.
Despite a whopping fifteen signings already being made, the idea of Beth Mead joining the side has been the talk of the summer. The 30-year-old has spent the last eight years in north London and has two European championships to her name as well as a Champions league title so would bring a wealth of experience to the squad, talks have however appeared to come to a halt with Mead seen in and amongst Arsenals first team since her return from Switzerland this summer.
(All transfers accurate as of 30th August 2025)
London City Lionesses celebrating promotion to the Women’s Super League (05.05.2025 – @Isobel_goodwinx on Instagram)