Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas joins London City Lionesses on free transfer
The Spanish midfielder, 32, leaves Barcelona after 14 trophy-laden years to sign a three-year deal with the ambitious Women's Super League club owned by Michele Kang.
The transfer
Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner, has signed a three-year contract with London City Lionesses, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Spanish midfielder was available on a free transfer after allowing her Barcelona contract to expire, ending a 14-year spell during which she won 38 trophies. She was unveiled at an event in New York City alongside the club's American owner, Michele Kang.
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.
London City, promoted to the Women's Super League in 2024-25, finished sixth in their debut top-flight season. The club is the only independent women's team in the WSL, operating without a men's affiliate. Putellas chose the project over offers from Boston Legacy and clubs in Mexico and the United States, according to sources.
A decorated career
Putellas leaves Barcelona as the club's all-time leading scorer with 232 goals in 507 appearances, second on the appearance list. She won 10 league titles and four Champions Leagues, captaining the side to victory in the 2026 final. Her individual peak came with back-to-back Ballon d'Or Féminin awards in 2021 and 2022, before an ACL injury on the eve of Euro 2022 interrupted her momentum. She recovered to win the 2023 World Cup with Spain and was a runner-up at Euro 2025.
- Wins first Ballon d'Or Féminin
- Wins second Ballon d'Or
- Suffers ACL injury on eve of Euro 2022
- Wins World Cup with Spain
- Runner-up at Euro 2025 with Spain
- Captains Barcelona to fourth Champions League title
- Signs three-year deal with London City Lionesses
London City's ambition
Backed by Kang, who also owns Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais, London City has already added former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Denmark defender Janni Thomsen, and Germany forward Nicole Anyomi this summer. The club is also linked with Barcelona's Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo. Hayes Lane, the team's home ground in Bromley, holds just over 6,000 spectators, a contrast to the 60,000-capacity Camp Nou where Putellas played her final home Champions League match.
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.
What Putellas brings
Putellas will not play Champions League football this season, as London City did not qualify. The club's five-year plan targets trophies and a European qualification spot. For Putellas, the move offers a chance to shape a growing project off the pitch, with a focus on youth development and a likely business partnership with Kang beyond her playing days. She said she was equally excited to work with Kang to elevate women's football in England and globally.
Her arrival is seen as a major coup for the WSL, joining the ranks of past marquee signings such as Sam Kerr, Alex Morgan, and Carli Lloyd. With a World Cup looming in 2027, the three-year deal provides stability for the final phase of her career.
