Players
26 May 2026
At just 18 years old, Lily Yohannes has always impressed with her precocity. Originally from the United States, where she took her first steps in football, she moved to the Netherlands at the age of 10 and quickly joined the Ajax Amsterdam academy.
In 2023, at only 15, she signed her first professional contract with the Dutch club. Her integration into the first team was impressive: from her very first season, she made a strong impression with her maturity and technical skill.
Named Best Young Player of the 2023/2024 season, Lily Yohannes also made history by becoming the youngest player to debut in the Women’s Champions League. Thanks to her remarkable performances on the pitch, she was called up to the US national team in March 2024, where she made an immediate impact by scoring just minutes after coming on as a substitute. Since then, she has earned eight caps for the US team, led by captain Lindsey Heaps.
OL Lyonnes is delighted to welcome Lily Yohannes to its ranks, recognized as one of the brightest prospects of her generation. Sought after by numerous European clubs, Lily has chosen to join Michele Kang’s Lyon project to continue her development.
Her arrival, along with the return from loan of Liana Joseph, Wassa Sangare, Julie Swierot, and Maeline Mendy, finalists of the U19 European Championship in Poland, confirms OL Lyonnes’ commitment to building a strong squad, one that matches its ambitions, by relying on promising young players.
Photo: Lyubomir Domozetski
