Alexia Putellas signs for London City Lionesses on free transfer from Barcelona
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has signed for London City Lionesses on a three-year deal, joining the independent WSL club after leaving Barcelona.
The signing
London City Lionesses announced the signing of Alexia Putellas at an event in New York City on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Spain midfielder left Barcelona in May after 14 seasons and was available on a free transfer. She has signed a three-year contract with the Women's Super League side, who finished sixth in their debut top-flight campaign.
I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with London City Lionesses. 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.
- Leaves Barcelona after 14 seasons, becoming a free agent.
- The Guardian reports that Putellas has agreed personal terms with London City.
- BBC Sport reveals Putellas chose London City over Boston Legacy as final two suitors.
- Unveiled at an event in New York City alongside owner Michele Kang.
- Expected to make her debut as the 2026-27 WSL season begins.
The Kang factor
Owner Michele Kang, the American businesswoman who also controls Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes, and Lyon's men's team, played a decisive role in the courtship. Putellas, who attracted serious interest from NWSL clubs and the league's front office, was won over by Kang's vision. The Guardian revealed in early June that personal terms had been agreed, and BBC Sport later reported that Putellas chose London City over Boston Legacy.
Alexia Putellas embodies the pinnacle of talent, dedication and vision in women's football. Her decision to join our independent, women-first club is a powerful endorsement of what we are building. This is more than a signing. It is a bold statement about the future of the sport.
What Putellas brings
Putellas departed Barcelona as the club's all-time top scorer with 232 goals in 507 appearances and captained the side to their fourth Champions League title in her final season. She also won the 2023 World Cup with Spain and was part of the team beaten by England in the Euro 2025 final. Her decorated career includes 38 trophies with Barcelona, 10 league titles, and back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 2021 and 2022. She joins as London City's highest-paid player.
London City's summer overhaul
The Lionesses have already strengthened elsewhere, signing former England goalkeeper Mary Earps from Paris Saint-Germain, Denmark defender Janni Thomsen from Utah Royals, and Germany forward Nicole Anyomi from Eintracht Frankfurt. The club is also linked with Barcelona duo Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo. When Putellas takes the field in September at Hayes Lane (capacity just over 6,000), it will mark the start of London City's second WSL season as they aim to challenge the established order of Chelsea and Arsenal.
