In one of the most stunning moves in women's football history, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has signed for London City Lionesses on a three-year contract. The 32-year-old Spanish midfielder left Barcelona after 14 trophy-laden seasons and was unveiled at a glitzy event in New York alongside the club's billionaire owner Michele Kang.
The Blockbuster Signing
Putellas, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, became a free agent after allowing her Barcelona contract to expire. Despite interest from nearly every top club worldwide, she chose a side that only secured promotion to the Women's Super League last summer and finished sixth in their debut top-flight campaign.
"I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with London City Lionesses," said Putellas. "The club's ambition and its steadfast commitment to growing as a women-only independent club resonate deeply with me. I look forward to making an impact on the pitch as we challenge for titles."
Kang, the American businesswoman who purchased the club in 2023, hailed the signing as a "bold statement about the future of the sport." BBC Sport reported that Putellas chose London City over Boston Legacy, the final two clubs vying for her signature.
Why London City?
Putellas' decision to join a club outside the traditional elite stunned the football world. But sources close to the deal highlighted several factors: a lucrative financial package that makes her the team's highest-paid player; the promise of a central role in a project aiming to break the WSL's established order; and alignment with Kang's vision of a women-first, independent club.
Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui noted that Putellas "won everything club football has to offer" at Barcelona, including four UEFA Women's Champions League titles and ten Liga F crowns. "The chance to take on a fresh footballing challenge while her status as one of the game's MVPs is still intact will have been a big draw," Toloui wrote.
Putellas' Pedigree
The Spain captain leaves Camp Nou having scored a club-record 232 goals in 507 appearances. She lifted 38 trophies with Barcelona, including the quadruple in her final season capped by a fourth Champions League triumph. On the international stage, she won the 2023 World Cup and was part of the side beaten by England in the Euro 2025 final.
Putellas overcame an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled her out of Euro 2022, returning to the form that earned her back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 2021 and 2022. Her arrival in Bromley immediately elevates the WSL's global profile.
Quick Facts
Age: 32
Position: Midfielder
Previous Club: Barcelona
Barcelona Appearances: 507
Barcelona Goals: 232
Ballon d'Or Wins: 2 (2021, 2022)
Champions League Titles: 4
World Cup: Winner 2023
Key Takeaways
- Alexia Putellas has joined London City Lionesses on a free transfer, penning a three-year contract.
- The move is one of the biggest coups in women's football history, underscoring the club's meteoric rise under owner Michele Kang.
- Putellas cited the club's ambition and women-only independent philosophy as key reasons for her choice.
- The signing signals London City's intent to disrupt the WSL elite and compete for European qualification.
- Putellas' presence is expected to boost attendances, sponsorship, and youth development across the women's game in England.
For London City, the capture of a genuine global icon is more than a marquee addition—it is a declaration of intent. With Putellas pulling the strings, the Lionesses will be a side to watch as the WSL season approaches.