Sawt Falasteen - PSG's Geyoro joins London City Lionesses for 'around £1 mn'

"London City are delighted to announce the deadline day signing of Grace Geyoro subject to the completion of the regulatory processes," said a club statement issued on Friday, with the 28-year-old midfielder reported to have signed a four-year contract.

There had been reports the deal was worth £1.43 million ($1.93 million), which would represent a new record for a female footballer, surpassing the £1.1 million paid by Orlando Pride to Tigres UANL for Mexico winger Lizbeth Ovalle last month.

But Lionessess chief executive Martin Semmens told talkSPORT radio Friday: "It is a fantastic signing and a fantastic player but the numbers are not quite right. I suspect those figures are more promoted from the other side.

"It is a big deal around the £1m mark but not a world record sadly."

Geyoro has scored 23 goals in 103 appearances for France.

She is the Lionesses' 16th permanent signing in the summer transfer window as they prepare for their first season in the WSL -- the top flight of English women's football -- following their promotion from the second tier.

Among the others to have joined the Lionesses are experienced England forward Nikita Parris, former Manchester United captain Katie Zelem, Barcelona's Jana Fernandez and Lyon's Danielle van de Donk.

The club was founded as an independent breakaway side from London's Millwall Lionesses in 2019 and is the first independent club, with no connection to a men's Premier League side, to be promoted into the WSL.

Their series of high-profile signings have been bankrolled by owner Michele Kang, known for her support of female sports teams, with the US-based businesswoman, also the majority owner of the Washington Spirit and Lyon women's football teams in America and France.

The London City Lionesses begin their WSL season away to capital city rivals Arsenal on Saturday.

P.Tamimi--SF-PST