Football
London City Lionesses: Kosovare Asllani and ex-PSG boss Jocelyn Precheur joins Championship club
Kang said that fans should “stay tuned” for up to seven high-profile signings for Lionesses this summer with Asllani being just the first, and that the “train has left the station” when it comes to growth and investment in women’s football.`
The club have also bought their training ground, it was announced, and will play their games next season at 5,000-capacity Hayes Lane.
That will mean them groundsharing at the home of League Two club Bromley, as Lionesses relocate from Princes Park in Dartford.
Kang, who also owns French giants Lyon Feminin and National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit in the United States, has ambitious plans for London City.
They are one of only two sides from the Championship, along with Durham, not to be directly associated with a club in the men’s Premier League or Football League.
London’s bold approach comes at a time of change for English women’s football, with the WSL and Championship switching from being run by the Football Association to an independent organisation, termed ‘Newco’.
“I told my players and staff we are not competing with men’s football, we are in the entertainment business,” Kang said.
“Why would you come to our game, 13 weekends in a row? We have to convince fans that this is the best way to spend their evening.
“Based on my experience in the US it [investment] is contagious, people see that it works. You see Arsenal, at the men’s stadium they sell out. No-one thought that would be a reality, but here we are.”