Mapi León is laughing. The question: what persuaded the Spain defender to join London City Lionesses? Her answer: “No, I can’t, I’m sorry, it’s a secret!” - which is either a brilliant negotiation tactic or a sign that the WSL has already corrupted her with its love of mystery. Fear not, though: the 31-year-old centre-back is in a banterous, jovial mood as she settles into her first major interview since signing for the Women’s Super League club.

Sitting in bright sunshine outside a quiet hotel near Maidstone, León could scarcely be happier about swapping Barcelona for south-east England. The only casualty? Her cat, Bagheera, who remains in Spain because, as León explains, “Here, you ask for so many things for pets, you can’t [really] fly with them, it’s so many documents, so many things.” Apparently, bringing a feline through customs is harder than marking a world-class striker.

Aside from the bureaucratic nightmare of international pet travel, León is buoyant and relaxed, embracing English life with the enthusiasm of someone who just discovered that “little bread” - which we eventually establish is crumpets - is a legitimate breakfast option. And then there’s the beans. “I like the beans in the morning. It’s really interesting,” she says, revealing that her Spanish teammates, including Alexia Putellas and Jana Fernández, are horrified: “What are you doing eating beans in the morning? You need to train.” León’s response? “No, it’s fine I like it.”

It’s a testament to the cultural exchange that the WSL brings: Spanish defenders discovering the joy of a full English, and English fans discovering that a Barcelona legend can find happiness in Bromley. The club, she says, “is a club created for women. It is beautiful and exciting.” And with beans and crumpets on the menu, who wouldn’t be excited?