Izzy Goodwin relishing chance to battle London City Lionesses’ new rivals in women’s top-flight

IZZY GOODWIN says her promotional-winning goal left her buzzing after London City Lionesses clinched a draw with Birmingham and a place in the WSL.

The forward's fiercely struck shot helped her side make the leap into the Women’s Super League for the first time in their history.

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London City’s promotion win means the WSL will have a women’s team, not affiliated with a men’s club, battling it out for points in the division next season.

Their second tier triumph marks a highpoint for a side that has undergone considerable change since being acquired by American businesswoman and sports investor Michelle Kang.

Goodwin, who finished this season as the second tier’s highest scorer, told Sky Sports: “I don't think I've ever scored a goal like that in my life.

“I put everything into it. I'm absolutely buzzing and happy I could help the team.

“By the end I was so tired, I'm so happy we could get over the line.”

London City winning the Women’s Championship title comes a year after they finished eighth in the second year last term.

Since Kang’s December 2023 takeover, with London City becoming the third side purchased through her women’s sports organisation Kynsica, their squad has undergone an overhaul.

The club signed 17 players between last summer and the end of this January including Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson with the Sweden players joining from AC Milan and San Diego Wave.

Kang, who also owns eight-time Champions League winners Lyon and US outfit Washington Spirit, insists rebuilding has been done with the purpose of London City evolving into a mid-tier WSL side.

The Kynsica Sports owner told Sky Sports: "We’ve been actually building the team to be a minimum, from day one, mid-tier WSL side.

"It remains to be seen, but we’ve seen so many clubs go up (to the WSL) and then come down, so we’ve been, on purpose, building the team to be somewhere in mid-tier, but who knows?

"We’re very excited. When I first came here a lot of people were concerned for me that as an independent team.

"They asked how could you do this, because you don’t have a men’s team from which you can draw the equity, brand power and the fanbase.

"For us, as an independent team to accomplish this in one year, this is proof that with the proper investment and the resources, anything is possible."

Goodwin, who joined the club from Sheffield United last July, added: "We all love Michelle and what she has done for this club.

"To play top teams like that week in, week out, is what you dream of. I can't wait."

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Goodwin broke the deadlock two minutes into second-half yesterday with a powerful right-footed effort.

Chantelle Boye Hlorkah made it 2-0 for the visitors in the 59th minute before Birmingham struck back with goals from Emily van Egmond and Cho So-Hyun.

The visitors held on to seal the win that earned them a place in the top tier six years on from them becoming a standalone side after their breakaway from Millwall.