Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has decided to join Women's Super League club London City Lionesses, snubbing interest from almost every top club in world football. The 32-year-old left Barcelona in May after 14 years and was widely regarded as one of women's football's greatest players. Sources close to Putellas have told BBC Sport she has opted for the South London club over Boston Legacy in the United States – the final two among many vying for her signature. Although London City Lionesses are confident of completing the deal, club sources say there is no final agreement yet.
It is a remarkable scoop for London City Lionesses, an independent women's football club that continues to raise eyebrows in the transfer market. They finished sixth in their debut top-flight season last year, while Putellas led Barcelona to a fourth Champions League title. The Spain midfielder won a total of 38 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 league titles. She scored a club record 232 goals in 507 appearances, and is second on the all-time appearance list – just nine behind Melanie Serrano on 516.
“Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas opts to join London City Lionesses after leaving Barcelona.”
Putellas won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the squad that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025. She was ruled out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and returned at the end of the following season. Since her return to full fitness, Putellas has shown the types of performances that earned her back-to-back Ballon d'Or accolades in 2021 and 2022.
Sources indicate London City Lionesses have been pursuing Putellas since January and there was always confidence they could strike a deal to sign her. She will join on a free having allowed her Barcelona contract to run out, though London City Lionesses are believed to have offered her substantial wages. Almost every club in world football with the financial capability to sign Putellas were interested, but London City Lionesses have won the battle.