Dual Signings Set to Transform London City Lionesses
London City Lionesses are on the verge of completing a sensational double swoop, with former England goalkeeper Mary Earps and Barcelona defender Mapi Leon poised to join the Barclays Women’s Super League side. The moves signal a seismic shift in the club’s ambition, challenging the traditional powerhouses of the English women’s game.
Earps, 33, is understood to have agreed terms on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, concluding a two-year spell in France. The England international is keen on a return to the WSL, where she aims to re-establish herself at the top level. Her arrival would bring world-class experience between the posts for a London City side determined to climb the table.
Simultaneously, the club has secured a deal for Leon after the Spanish defender confirmed she will leave Barcelona upon the expiration of her contract. Leon, considered one of the sport’s elite centre-backs, commits to a project outside the Champions League elite, highlighting the persuasive ambition behind London City’s plans.
The double acquisition marks the clearest statement yet from an independent club unaffiliated with any men’s team. Competing against sides backed by Premier League giants, the Lionesses have historically held a lower profile, but these signings reflect new financial backing and a strategic vision to disrupt the established WSL order.
In a further display of their growing intent, London City are also in discussions to sign Alexia Putellas, though the Spanish star is still weighing offers from the National Women’s Soccer League. Even the pursuit alone demonstrates a willingness to target the very top echelon of talent.
For Earps, the free transfer represents a homecoming and a chance to lead a developing side. Having left England two years ago for PSG, she now returns with the opportunity to anchor a team constructing a squad capable of challenging the league’s best.
Leon’s arrival addresses a critical defensive void. The 30-year-old’s composure and reading of the game are expected to immediately strengthen London City’s backline, bringing the kind of tactical discipline forged at the highest levels of European football.
The potential capture of Putellas, though uncertain, would reverberate across the sport. At 32, the midfielder remains one of the most decorated players, and London City’s involvement in talks signals a new-found credibility in the global transfer market.
For the wider WSL, the allure of a challenger club attracting marquee names could accelerate the league’s growth. Increased competition at the summit, beyond Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City, would deepen the product’s appeal to audiences and commercial partners.
As the transfer window nears, the club is moving quickly to finalize these deals. The free-agency route has enabled London City to acquire elite talent without transfer fees, though the wage investments are thought to be significant proof of the board’s commitment.
Fans may be witnessing a turning point in the league’s narrative. A more competitive landscape driven by ambitious spending enriches the entire ecosystem, and if Earps and Leon adapt swiftly, London City could emerge as a genuine force next season, with the Putellas subplot adding extra intrigue.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.