London City Lionesses have signed France forward Kadidiatou Diani on a three-year deal for a fee exceeding £500,000.

The 31-year-old announced her departure from European giants Lyon on Monday despite having a year remaining on her contract.

London City had been in advanced discussions for several weeks and, while other European clubs were interested, Diani chose a move to the Women's Super League (WSL).

Diani spent three seasons at Lyon after moving from Paris St-Germain in 2023 and 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."

At PSG, Diani won two French Cups and a league title but missed out on Women’s Champions League success with Lyon, losing twice in the final.

She suffered a knee injury in the semi-finals which meant she missed the final last season as Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0.

Diani will be reunited with London City owner Michele Kang, who also owns Lyon as well as Washington Spirit.

London City finished sixth in their debut campaign in the WSL and have had an impressive transfer window so far.

They have made six additions, including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, ex-England goalkeeper Mary Earps and Spain defender Mapi Leon.

Diani's arrival is among a Hollywood-style list of big-names to have made the move to London City under Kang's ownership.

They made headlines in the second tier when Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani joined and the club broke the world transfer record last season on Grace Geyoro.

Putellas' arrival this month was regarded as the biggest in WSL history and they have put the icing on the cake with Diani.

There is no hiding from the fact that London City have the financial capability to disrupt the game's elite.

But Kang's spending, which is not limited to buying players in the transfer window and has also gone into investment on training facilities and medical research, has prompted discussions around financial sustainability in the WSL.

WSL players cannot earn higher than 80% of the club's total revenue, plus any additional investment up to £4m. London City's total revenue has not been released yet, their having only earned promotion to the WSL last year.

It is not a new debate in regards to multi-club owners either - as seen in the men's game - but Kang's ability to sweep away competition has unsettled many.

This is the latest demonstration of a player switching between clubs under the same ownership for a fee which has also been viewed as controversial.

But Diani was a player several clubs had looked at and ultimately it was her decision to join London City as they fought off that competition.

She will bring a wealth of experience, as well as adding different qualities to the club's existing frontline, which includes young England international Freya Godfrey.

While new players have arrived - some also on free transfers - the club still boast a selection of exciting young talent.

And whether you disagree with London City's use of the WSL's soft salary cap or have reservations regarding multi-club ownership, there can be no denying that Kang's spending is dishing up some of the most exciting transfers in Europe.