Grace Geyoro Shatters Women's Football History as London City Lionesses Smash Transfer Record
London City Lionesses have secured midfielder Grace Geyoro as the costliest women's footballer ever, completing a transfer from Paris Saint-Germain for the France international at a reported £1.43 million ($1.92 million).
This transaction represents the fourth occasion in 2025 where the women's transfer benchmark has been surpassed. Chelsea initiated the trend in January with a £900,000 acquisition of Naomi Girma, followed by Arsenal's £1 million purchase of Olivia Smith from Liverpool in July.
Smith's benchmark endured just over a month before Lizbeth Ovalle joined Orlando Pride in a £1.1 million deal, but London City Lionesses have now shattered that figure with their spectacular acquisition of Geyoro.
Geyoro's £1.43 million move now stands alone atop the record charts, though it may eventually be surpassed by Alyssa Thompson's recent transfer to Chelsea. The Blues might spend up to £1.5 million should all performance-related clauses be activated.
Highest Transfer Fees in Women's Football History
Player | From | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Grace Geyoro | PSG | London City Lionesses | £1.43 million ($1.92 million) |
Lizbeth Ovalle | Tigres | Orlando Pride | £1.1 million ($1.5 million) |
Olivia Smith | Liverpool | Arsenal | £1 million ($1.36 million) |
Alyssa Thompson | Angel City | Chelsea | £1 million ($1.34 million) |
Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave | Chelsea | £900,000 ($1.1 million) |
The 28-year-old Geyoro, who has earned more than 100 international appearances for France, represents the 16th addition during an exceptionally busy transfer period for the recently promoted WSL side, which is supported by American proprietor Michele Kang.
Notable signings joining the club this summer include defender Jana Fernández from Barcelona, midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk from Lyon, and former Manchester United pair Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris, who most recently played for Angel City and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.
London City Lionesses stand as the inaugural WSL team with complete independence from any men's football club, having pursued this path when they officially separated from Millwall in 2019.
The club's early years were characterized by instability both competitively and organizationally, but Kang's acquisition in December 2023 initiated a positive transformation. Kang, who holds majority stakes in Washington Spirit and Lyon while maintaining a minority interest in Lyon's men's team, has committed to substantial investment in women's football.
The team captured the Championship crown during Kang's inaugural complete season as owner and are now preparing for their debut campaign in England's premier division.