Manchester City Women have completed the signing of striker Kosovare Asllani.

Asllani left French giants Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year, terminating her contract by mutual consent after being sidelined through injury for a number of weeks.

Shortly after the decision to leave France, the striker opened up about the move and admitted her interest in FAWSL. Now, she has acted upon that interest by joining the Sky Blues on a one-year deal.

Asllani interested by ambitious City

Speaking to Manchester City's official website, Asllani expressed her delight with the move and spoke of how she is raring to go at the Academy Stadium. 

"It feels good to be here," the Sweden international said, adding that she is already "impressed with the facility" as well as "the way the club has built up [their] team."

Furthermore, she is happy with the way that the club is united as one, with "everything...in one place" - "the men's team, the women's team and the youth teams."

It's not just that "environment" that drew her to Manchester though, but also their "ambitions," which she stated was the "main" factor in her switch.

City have really rose to prominence in recent seasons in England, winning the FA WSL Cup in 2014 and following that up with the clinching of a place in the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2015. 

Asllani has experience with Sweden at international level too. | Photo: Manchester City WFC
Asllani has experience with Sweden at international level too. | Photo: Manchester City WFC

As they prepare for their first European adventure at the end of this calendar year, it comes as little surprise to see them bolstering their squad then, and a player with the high level experience that Asllani has will certainly aid them as they make strides forward.

"PSG are a huge club and I learned a lot there," she said. She drew similarities between the two clubs too, saying that Paris are also trying to take the women's team "to the next level," but at City, she said "it feels like the future."

"This team has a lot of potential and ambition," the striker continued. "They want to win titles and I want to help them to do so."

Curiousity brings her to Manchester

Not only has the ambition of Manchester City drawn Asllani to the club though, but also the growth of the FAWSL, which she spoke about after leaving PSG.

"The English league is growing a lot," she said once more, saying that she is "curious" and that is "why" she has arrived in the country.

As the country's reputation continues to grow following a successful 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, in which they clinched the Bronze medal, and the increase in competition in the FAWSL, English teams will now hope to make their mark in Europe to continue this progress.

Asllani believes the club can cause some upsets in the Champions League too, saying that the fact that they "were close to winning [the league]" last season shows that they have the quality to be able to "surprise" in the competition.

"It's going to be tough," she said, "but it will be interesting to see how the team do."

Manager also pleased

With City somewhat quiet in the window so far, this signing is a real move of intent as they look to challenge Chelsea for the title once more in 2016.

The Blues recruited a big name in Karen Carney earlier in the window, but now Asllani's arrival shows that the Citizens aren't content with playing second fiddle again.

Speaking about her signing, manager Nick Cushing said that the club are "delighted" to have recruited a player of Asllani's "calibre," continuing by saying that she will "add another dimension" to the team.

"We admire her passion and ambition - it matches everything this club stands for." he concluded. "We're really looking forward to working with her."

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]