London City Lionesses are set to hand captain Kosovare Asllani a one-year contract extension despite the club acknowledging it is unlikely she will play for them again — a decision that says as much about the club's philosophy as it does about the 36-year-old's standing at the ground.

The Sweden international suffered a complex multi-ligament injury, including an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, confirmed by the club in March. Her existing deal was due to expire this summer, which would ordinarily have left an injured player facing an uncertain future. Instead, London City are giving Asllani the contract and, crucially, the medical infrastructure to work through her rehabilitation on stable terms.

Why the extension makes sense

The numbers behind Asllani's contribution help explain the loyalty. She scored two goals and registered three assists in 19 WSL appearances during London City's debut top-flight campaign, in which they finished sixth — a respectable return for a newly promoted side. Before that, she played a central role in the WSL 2 title win in 2024-25 that earned the club promotion in the first place.

Add more than 200 caps for Sweden — she is the national team's captain — and the picture is of a player whose value extends well beyond the ninety minutes. The Women's World Cup in Brazil in 2026 gives Asllani a clear target to aim for during rehabilitation, and London City's decision to keep her on the books means her recovery programme will be structured around professional support rather than cobbled together outside a club environment.

Owner Michele Kang, the US billionaire who runs the club independently of any men's team, has spoken publicly about investing properly in women's football and providing genuine medical resources. Asllani's extension is the clearest example yet of what that looks like in practice.

A broader picture of ambition

Asllani is not the only injury concern in east London. Midfielder Malou Marcetto suffered multiple knee ligament tears in the final WSL game of the season, though the club believes her early recovery from surgery has been positive.

Despite those setbacks, the transfer window has brought considerable optimism. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has joined from Barcelona — a genuinely headline move for the WSL — alongside Spain centre-back Mapi León, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Denmark defender Janni Thomsen and Germany forward Nicole Anyomi. The club is also understood to be pursuing at least one further attacking addition.

London City's stated ambition is to compete for a Champions League qualification spot next season. Finishing sixth in their first WSL campaign gives them a base to build from, and the squad being assembled under head coach Eder Maestre looks significantly stronger than the one that came up from the second tier.

Asllani may or may not feature in that push. The honest assessment from within the club is that she probably will not. But retaining her — giving her the time and the support to recover properly — reflects the kind of long-term thinking that has been conspicuously absent in parts of the women's game for a long time. For a player with over 200 international caps, that matters.

Frequently asked

How long is Kosovare Asllani's new contract at London City Lionesses?
Asllani is set to sign a one-year extension, keeping her at London City Lionesses beyond the summer of 2025 to support her recovery from a serious knee injury.
What injury did Asllani suffer?
London City confirmed in March that Asllani suffered a complex multi-ligament injury, including an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. The club considers it unlikely she will play for them again during the extension period.
Who owns London City Lionesses?
London City Lionesses are owned by US billionaire Michele Kang. The club operates independently and is not affiliated with any men's football team.