Malawi women’s national team captain Tabitha Chawinga has joined Olympique Lyon Feminin on a three-year deal from Chinese outfit Wuhan Jianghan University.
The 28-year-old spent the 2023-24 season on loan at rivals Paris Saint-Germain as the first Malawian to play in the Premiere Ligue, and finished as top scorer with 19 goals in 21 games. She was also named the league’s best player and featured in the team of the season.
Chawinga in a statement said she hopes her move to Lyon will inspire Malawians to follow her footsteps in making it in the big leagues across Europe.
“I am proud to be the first Malawian to play in Europe and especially in Lyon,” she stated.
“I to inspire other people from Malawi to follow my steps and come and play here, in Europe, and in this great club.
“I am here not only for myself, but also to represent my country and show new generations that it is possible to believe in their dreams and realise them.”
Welcome home, 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐢! 🏠 pic.twitter.com/BRGJEggabU
— OL Féminin (@OLfeminin) July 2, 2024
Chawinga also spent time on loan with a Inter Milan during the 2022-23 season, scoring 23 goals in as many Serie A Femminile games to also finish as top scorer. She was named Footballer of the Year and was included in the Team of the Year.
Lyon edged PSG to the league title last season and also beat them in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals before losing to Barcelona in the final.
Les Fenottes have won the French league a record 17 times and the Champions League eight times.
