England forward Nikita Parris signs for London City Lionesses
England international Nikita Parris has left Brighton and Hove Albion following the expiration of her contract. She is joining London City Lionesses, on the back of their promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Parris joined the Seagulls from Manchester United on deadline day in September 2024. She made an immediate impact, scoring on her first league start, just two minutes into a WSL match against Aston Villa. She then went on to net twelve goals in twenty-eight appearances across all competitions.
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 winner played a key role in helping Brighton secure their best-ever WSL finish last season, ending the campaign in fifth place.
Her footballing career
Parris has had a distinguished career at both club and international level. A standout at youth level for England progressed her into the senior team, where she became the top scorer during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign. She has remained a reliable contributor whenever called upon.
Joining Everton’s centre of excellence at age fourteen, she moved to Manchester City on loan. Shortly after she earned her first England cap in 2016, scoring twice against Serbia days after her debut.
Parris scored her first major tournament goal at the 2017 Women’s Euros, grabbing the winner against Portugal. Her performances led to a move to French powerhouse Lyon in 2019, where she spent two years before returning to England with Arsenal in 2021. She joined Manchester United in 2022, winning the Adobe Women’s FA Cup before moving to Brighton.
Her strong performances with Brighton earned her a recall to the England squad in February 2025 under head coach Sarina Wiegman. Parris was also part of England’s victorious SheBelieves Cup (2019), Arnold Clark Cup (2022) and featured in every match for Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic praised her impact, saying:
“Nikita has played a vital role in helping us achieve our highest-ever WSL finish. Her professionalism on and off the pitch has been outstanding, and her experience has been hugely influential—especially in guiding some of our younger players. Her goals and tactical awareness have brought leadership and consistency in the final third.”
The next chapter
This summer Parris announced her unexpected departure from Brighton, with a move to London City Lionesses on the cards. On a two-year deal, she will remain with the team until at least 2027.
Having secured promotion to the top-flight of English football, London City are looking to make their mark in the WSL. With some big names in women’s football making moves to London, their impressive squad depth and team spirit could make them the wildcard this season.
As a number nine, Parris has an excellent goalscoring history, as well as experience playing at some of the biggest clubs in Europe. In her first interview with the Pride, she said:
“I’m excited. It’s a very ambitious project and I’m really looking forward to meeting all the girls and getting started. The project here aligns with the challenges I want to meet and the goals I want to achieve. I’m going to give my all to make sure the team progresses.”
With the Pride, the English international is looking to return to her top goalscoring form and contribute to the attacking phases of play. She plays with an ambition and intent to put herself in the best positions to drive at the opposition’s backline and threaten with her fast pace runs into the box. Parris is certainly an asset to a side heading for their WSL debut.