London City Lionesses Transform Squad for Historic First WSL Campaign
Historic Rise to the Top Flight
London City Lionesses made history by becoming the first fully independent team to earn promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL) in May 2025. The achievement marks a remarkable journey for the club that was founded in May 2019 as an independent breakaway from Millwall Lionesses, with initial funding from blockchain entrepreneur Anthony Culligan and his wife Diane Culligan.
New Ownership and Management
The club was acquired by entrepreneur Michele Kang in December 2023, who later launched Kynisca Sports International Ltd., a global multi-team organisation. Under this structure, London City Lionesses benefits from shared capabilities in performance science, technology, data analytics, and global scouting.
High-Profile Signings and Management
The club has made significant moves in the transfer market, securing French international Grace Geyoro from Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish international Lucía Corrales from FC Barcelona. The team is led by manager Jocelyn Prêcheur, who joined on a three-year contract ahead of the 2024/25 season and immediately guided them to promotion. Prêcheur brings impressive credentials, having previously led PSG to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and achieved a historic quadruple with Jiangsu Suning.
Commercial Growth and Future Prospects
Following their promotion to WSL, the Lionesses secured a significant sponsorship deal with Nike in July 2025, who became the official kit supplier for two years. The partnership extends beyond equipment, encompassing the development of women athletes and community services in London. The club has also announced a historic partnership with TOGETHXR, the women-athlete-owned media company founded by prominent athletes Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Simone Manuel, and Chloe Kim.
