Two-time Ballon d’Or winner and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has joined London City Lioness after her contract with Barcelona expired.
Sources told ESPN that Putellas had several offers to consider after she decided to end her stay in Spain, including from the NWSL. However, London City have always been the frontrunner to sign the Spaniard.
The move represents a major coup for the Women’s Super League side, as Putellas won 38 trophies in 14 glorious years in Catalonia. She also won the World Cup with Spain in 2023.
For Barcelona, Putellas scored 232 goals in more than 500 matches – only Lionel Messi (672) has scored more for either the men’s or women’s team. At Barça, she won League F 10 times and won the Women’s Champions League four times.
Putellas joined the WSL after 14 highly successful years in Spain, during which she cemented her status as a legend in Barcelona. JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images
Sources added that Putellas’ reason for joining London City is a desire to stay in Europe and close to home, as well as a lack of regular competition with Barcelona.
“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter with London City Lionesses,” said Putellas.
“The club’s ambitions and its strong commitment to developing as an independent women’s club resonate deeply with me.
“I’m looking forward to making an impact on the field as we compete for titles.”
London City owner Michelle Kang has high hopes for the project and is keen for her London team – which also owns OL Lyonne in France and Washington Spirit in the NWSL – to compete in the Champions League.
Kang has regularly turned to Barca to strengthen various teams in her portfolio, having previously appointed Jonathan Giraldes as coach at the Washington Spirit and then at Lyon.
Putellas, 32, left Barca having won the Champions League trophy after a resounding 4-0 win over Lyon in the final.
Landing Putellas is a statement of intent for London City, who were promoted to the WSL just over a year ago and finished sixth in their first full campaign in England’s top flight.
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Former Barca sporting director Markel Zubizarreta has also been appointed global sporting director at Kiniscu, the group that oversees Kang’s various teams.
By signing Putellas, London City are aiming to disrupt the WSL, which has historically been dominated by Chelsea and Arsenal, although Manchester City won the title last season.
Sources have also told ESPN that London City are keen to sign Putellas’ former Barcelona teammate, defender Mapi Leon.
Information from ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Emily Keogh contributed to this story.