WSL: Newly promoted London City Lionesses sign Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk

Women’s Super League newcomers London City Lionesses have signed the Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk on a two-year contract.

Van de Donk, who has 167 international caps, returns to England four years after leaving Arsenal to join French side Lyon.

The 33-year-old becomes London City’s first signing since they clinched promotion to the top flight for the first time after finishing two points clear of Birmingham City in the Championship.

A WSL winner with the Gunners in 2018-19, Van de Donk has won four consecutive league titles since joining Lyon in 2021 and also lifted the Champions League in 2022.

“It’s just such a nice environment to be in, the club really appeals to me, it reminds me of a little family, and I want to be a part of it,” Van de Donk said.

“The project that London City have, it’s different but in a good way. London City have to battle for everything and that’s my style.”

Financially backed by Michele Kang, who also owns Lyon and Washington Spirit in the USA, London City will become the first independent women’s club, not associated with any men’s team, to play in the WSL.

Since splitting from Millwall in 2019 they have been a regular in the second division but have been boosted by the investment from their wealthy American owner since her arrival in 2023.

Van de Donk began her career in the Netherlands with Willem II before playing for VVV-Venlo and PSV Eindhoven.

After a brief spell with Goteborg in Sweden she signed for Arsenal in 2015, also winning the FA Cup and League Cup during a six-year stay in London.

She also won the European Championship with the Netherlands on home soil in 2017 and helped her nation reach the World Cup final in 2019.