First, she will defeat England.
Then, she will move there and change women's football.
This was the first time I was scared to make a decision, says the 34-year-old midfielder about choosing to move to the English second division.
In a football world where wealthy clubs with successful men's teams are taking over more and more also on the women's side, London City Lionesses are an anomaly.
It's precisely because of this that Kosovare Asllani has chosen them as her ninth club in her senior career.
It's like the circle is complete. I belong to a club that is the only completely independent women's club in England. It's powerful to show that, that we don't need a men's club to support us. This club will stand on its own and create its own fans. It's powerful to be part of it from the beginning, says Asllani the day before Sweden's decisive European Championship qualifying match against England in Gothenburg.
Owns several major clubs
London City Lionesses was created in 2019 as a spin-off from Millwall FC. In December last year, the club was bought by the Korean-American businesswoman Michele Kang – something that proved decisive in attracting Asllani.
Kang, who also owns French Lyon and NWSL team Washington Spirit, flew personally to Milan to meet the Swede and convince her of the benefits of switching from Italian Milan to the English second division.
If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have signed. It's the vision and everything she stands for. It aligns with everything I stand for, says Asllani.
She's very charismatic, she takes up space. She wants to redraw the entire women's football map. Where we are now is not good enough, everything has to be built bigger and we have to invest. I said to her: "We'll see if I say yes". Then she said: "You won't say no". So that's the kind of thinking she has.
Roddar rumor
Under coach Carolina Morace – former attacking star in the Italian national team – London City was on its way to being relegated to the third division this year. But with new coach Jocelyn Prêcheur, a 42-year-old Frenchman who previously coached Paris Saint-Germain, the plan is for the club to take the step up to the Super League already next season.
And I think I'll have better conditions than I've had in many years to become a better football player. Regardless of how the league looks. But the plan is for us to go up, says Asllani.
So far, she only has a decent grasp of her new teammates – a mix of young British talents and Irish national team players. But a familiar face is rumored to be on the way.
According to SVT, London City has bought out Swedish midfielder Julia Roddar from Hammarby.
I hope a Swedish player comes in too. I hope it gets cleared up as soon as possible, says Asllani cryptically.
Born: July 29, 1989 (34 years old), in Kristianstad.
Position: midfielder.
Club: London City Lionesses, in the English second division.
Mother club: Vimmerby.
Senior clubs: Linköping 2007–2012, Chicago Red Stars 2010, Kristianstad 2012, Paris Saint-Germain 2012–2016, Manchester City 2016–2017, Linköping 2017–2019, CD Tacón/Real Madrid 2019–2022, Milan 2022–2024. London City Lionesses 2024–.
