Nike has expanded its partnership with London City Lionesses, becoming the Women's Super League club's front-of-shirt sponsor as well as its kit manufacturer, in a deal worth more than £3m — a record fee for the women's game.

The sponsorship is a multi-year agreement and comes alongside Nike's decision to extend its kit contract with London City until 2032.

The club's new shirts will carry an image of the Greek goddess Nike, from whom the sportswear giant takes its name, and will be debuted in tonight's WSL season opener against Manchester United.

"London City is helping set a new standard for women's football, on and off the pitch," said the club's owner, US billionaire Michele Kang.

"Nike's commitment is powerful validation of where the club is headed and of the opportunity across the women's game. This partnership is about more than a logo on our shirt."

"Together, we will continue raising standards for our players while connecting performance, football, culture, creativity and community in new ways."

Speaking to the BBC, Kang said the Nike sponsorship was the biggest in the women's game and worth more than "some of the men's Premier League front-of-shirt deals. It's huge".

The deal lands amid a broader rise in commercial investment across women's football, with growing attendance, broadcast interest and sponsorship values in the women's game in recent years attracting major sportswear brands and independent club owners alike. How quickly the women's game sustains such valuations — and whether other clubs secure comparable front-of-shirt deals — is likely to be a closely watched benchmark.

London City Lionesses' rise under Kang

London City are the only side in the WSL not attached to a club with a men's team, and Kang has bankrolled their rise from the second tier.

Kang, who made her fortune in medical technology, also owns teams in France and the US, and was the highest-placed woman in City AM's inaugural Football Power List.

The club has ambitious plans to qualify for the Champions League, and this summer signed former Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas from Barcelona.

Off the pitch, London City is building a dedicated training centre for women's football in Kent, with facilities designed to rival those of top men's teams.

"Women's football is shaping the future of football globally," said Nike Football general manager Camilo Andrade. "Our partnership with London City Lionesses reflects Nike's long-term commitment to developing the game and creating more opportunities for the next generation of players and fans. We share London City's vision to redefine what football can become."