Rising U.S. women`s national team midfielder Lily Yohannes is reportedly nearing a significant transfer from Ajax to OL Lyon, marking a considerable step up at the club level for the talented 18-year-old.
According to ESPN, Lyon has reached an agreement with Ajax regarding the transfer fee. Yohannes is expected to finalize her personal contract terms with the French club shortly. Chelsea had also been interested in acquiring the midfielder at one point.
Yohannes is considered one of the USWNT`s most exciting young prospects, demonstrating a steady upward trajectory since her breakthrough season at Ajax in 2023-24. A U.S. citizen born in Virginia, she relocated to the Netherlands with her family at age 10 and has spent her entire club career there, joining Ajax`s academy at 13. She signed her first professional contract at 15, extending to June 2026. Notably, she became the youngest player ever to start a UEFA Women`s Champions League match in November 2023 at the age of 16.
Now 18, she has gained valuable experience, including 11 appearances in the UEFA Women`s Champions League over two seasons and earning eight caps for the USWNT. Her debut came last June, and in November, she formally committed to representing the United States, choosing the USWNT over the Netherlands, where she was pursuing citizenship but not yet eligible to play internationally.
Analyzing the Move: What Lyon Means for Yohannes`s Development
The transfer appears mutually beneficial: Michele Kang`s Lyon continues its heavy investment, Ajax receives a transfer fee as Yohannes enters the final year of her contract, and Yohannes secures a place at Europe`s most decorated women`s club. Moving two years ahead of the next Women`s World Cup allows the 18-year-old ample time to adapt to a new, more demanding environment.
Lyon presents an ideal destination for a talent like Yohannes. While she`s undoubtedly a player to watch, she is still quite young and developing. Although Feminin Division 1 (formerly Première Ligue) has seen Lyon dominate, winning the title in all but one season since 2006-07, the league represents a significant step up for Yohannes from the Dutch Eredivisie. The structure of France`s top division offers flexibility for patient development if required, and also provides an opportunity for her to build rapport with USWNT captain and Lyon teammate Lindsey Horan.
For any player, a move to Lyon is typically motivated by the opportunity to compete in the Champions League. As record eight-time winners, Lyon will participate in the Champions League next season (unlike Ajax), offering Yohannes a prime chance to test her abilities against the world`s elite players and teams – a crucial stage in a young player`s progression. Fans can watch the UWCL matches on Paramount+.
While deep runs are always expected of Lyon, the project under Michele Kang is highly ambitious. Since becoming the majority owner in 2024, Kang has overseen several ambitious signings, assembling an impressive squad featuring prolific goalscorers like Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, and Tabitha Chawinga, alongside midfielders such as Melchie Dumornay. The clear objective is to reclaim the Champions League title, last won in 2021-22. This ambitious goal brings significant pressure for Yohannes as she aims to earn playing time within this star-studded squad.
Nevertheless, Lyon`s strong pursuit of her underscores that Yohannes is indeed one of the most exciting young talents in the sport, positioning her well to continue her rapid development.
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley