Alexia Putellas Signs for London City Lionesses

Key Points

• Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has signed for London City Lionesses, ending a 14-year association with Barcelona.
• The Spain international and World Cup winner helped Barcelona lift a fourth Champions League title in six seasons, beating Lyon in the final, before her contract expired.
• The 32-year-old had also been linked with a move to Boston Legacy in the United States before opting for England.
• London City Lionesses, owned by American billionaire Michele Kang, finished sixth in their debut Women’s Super League season.
• The Bromley-based club has also recruited former England goalkeeper Mary Earps this summer.
• Putellas described the move as a “new chapter” and praised the club’s ambition and its status as a women-only independent club.
• Michele Kang called the signing “a bold statement about the future of the sport” and said it reflected London City’s plans to compete at the highest level.
• The signing is expected to strengthen London City’s push for silverware following their inaugural WSL campaign.

Bromley (Britain Today News) – July 08, 2026 – Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has completed a move to London City Lionesses, drawing to a close a 14-year spell at Barcelona that yielded some of the most decorated years in the history of the women’s game. The Spain international, who helped Barcelona secure a fourth Champions League crown in six seasons with victory over Lyon, had already confirmed she would leave the Catalan club once her contract expired, and she has now chosen to continue her career in the Women’s Super League with the Bromley-based side.

Who Is Alexia Putellas and Why Does Her Move Matter?

Alexia Putellas is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of her generation, having won back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards and established herself as a central figure in Barcelona’s dominance of European women’s football over the past decade. Her departure from Barcelona marks the end of an era for a player who spent 14 years at the club, rising from the academy ranks to captain the side to multiple domestic and continental honours.

Her decision to join London City Lionesses represents one of the most significant transfers in the history of English women’s football, given her stature as a World Cup winner with Spain and a two-time Ballon d’Or recipient. The move signals growing confidence among leading players that the Women’s Super League can now compete with Spain’s Liga F and other major European leagues for top talent.

Why Did Putellas Leave Barcelona After 14 Years?

Putellas had already signalled her intention to depart Barcelona once her contract expired, bringing an end to a relationship with the club that began in her youth and matured into one of the most successful individual careers in the sport. Her final act in Barcelona colours was a triumphant one, guiding the club to a fourth Champions League title in six seasons courtesy of a win over Lyon in the final.

Despite that success, the timing of her contract expiry coincided with her decision to seek a new challenge elsewhere, rather than extend her stay at the Camp Nou. No reason beyond the natural conclusion of her contract has been given publicly for her departure, though the move follows a broader trend of established stars testing themselves in new leagues as the women’s game continues to expand commercially and competitively across Europe and North America.

What Did Alexia Putellas Say About Joining London City Lionesses?

Speaking after her move was confirmed, Putellas expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to join London City Lionesses and to contribute to the club’s broader ambitions both on and off the pitch. She said:

“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with London City Lionesses.”

She continued:

“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.”

Putellas also highlighted her interest in youth development and working alongside the club’s ownership to advance the wider women’s football project in England. She added:

“Off the pitch, building on my passion for youth development, I am equally excited to work with Michele in elevating women’s football in England and on the global stage.”

Who Are London City Lionesses and What Is Their Ambition?

London City Lionesses are a Bromley-based Women’s Super League club that has quickly established itself as one of the more ambitious projects in English women’s football. The club is backed by American billionaire Michele Kang, who also serves as president of French club Lyon, giving London City a direct link to one of the most successful sides in European women’s football.

In their maiden WSL campaign, London City Lionesses finished sixth, a respectable return for a newly promoted side but one that also underlines the scale of the club’s ambitions moving forward. The recruitment of a player of Putellas’ calibre, alongside other high-profile additions, suggests the club is intent on closing the gap to the division’s established powers in the coming seasons.

The club has positioned itself as a women-only independent operation, a structural distinction that has been cited by incoming players, including Putellas herself, as a significant factor in their decision to join.

What Did Owner Michele Kang Say About the Signing?

Michele Kang, the American billionaire who owns London City Lionesses and also serves as Lyon president, described Putellas’ arrival as a landmark moment for the club. Speaking on the Lionesses’ official website, Kang said:

“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 at London City.”

Kang went further in outlining the wider significance of the signing, stating:

“This is more than a signing, it is a bold statement about the future of the sport.”

She added:

“Together, we will compete at the highest levels while creating new commercial opportunities and development pathways for the next generation of female athletes.”

Her comments reflect an ownership strategy that extends beyond immediate on-pitch results, with an emphasis on commercial growth and pathways for younger players as part of the club’s long-term vision.

Was Putellas Linked With a Move to Boston Legacy?

Before completing her move to London City Lionesses, Putellas had also been strongly linked with a switch to Boston Legacy in the United States. The interest from the American side reflected the growing global appeal of the Spanish midfielder, whose achievements at both club and international level have made her one of the most sought-after players in the women’s game.

Ultimately, Putellas opted against a move across the Atlantic, choosing instead to remain in Europe and join the Women’s Super League, where she will now compete against some of the continent’s leading clubs on a weekly basis.

How Does This Signing Compare With Mary Earps’ Move to London City?

Putellas’ arrival follows another significant summer signing for London City Lionesses, with former England goalkeeper Mary Earps also having joined the Bromley-based club. The recruitment of both Earps and Putellas within the same transfer window underlines the scale of London City’s recruitment drive and the resources being made available by ownership to build a squad capable of competing for major honours.

Together, the two signings represent a considerable statement of intent from a club that has only recently established itself in the Women’s Super League, with both players bringing international pedigree and major tournament experience to the squad.

What Does This Signing Mean for the Women’s Super League?

The arrival of a two-time Ballon d’Or winner in the Women’s Super League is likely to be seen as a significant boost to the competitiveness and profile of the division. Putellas joins a league that has increasingly attracted international talent in recent years, and her presence is expected to raise both the standard of competition and the level of interest in London City Lionesses’ fixtures throughout the coming season.

For London City Lionesses specifically, the signing represents a marked step up in ambition following their sixth-place finish in their debut WSL campaign. The club will now be expected to push for a higher league position and potentially compete in cup competitions with a squad bolstered by proven winners at the highest level of the international game.
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What Is Putellas’ Trophy Cabinet and Career Record?

Putellas’ career has been defined by sustained success at both club and international level. During her time at Barcelona, she was a key figure in the club’s rise to become one of the dominant forces in European women’s football, culminating in multiple Champions League triumphs, including the fourth title in six seasons secured with victory over Lyon.

At international level, she has been part of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, cementing her status as one of the most decorated players of her generation. Her two Ballon d’Or awards further underline her individual standing within the global game, placing her among a small group of players recognised as the finest of their era.

What Happens Next for Putellas and London City Lionesses?

With the signing now confirmed, attention will turn to how quickly Putellas can integrate into her new surroundings and what impact she can have on London City Lionesses’ fortunes in the upcoming Women’s Super League season. Having already indicated her desire to contribute both on the pitch and in supporting youth development off it, Putellas appears set to play a role that extends beyond her performances in matches alone.

For London City Lionesses, the challenge will be to build a squad and structure capable of matching the ambition articulated by both Putellas and Kang. With Mary Earps already having joined the club and further recruitment possible before the new season begins, London City will be aiming to translate their summer investment into tangible progress in the league table.

As the Women’s Super League season approaches, the arrival of Alexia Putellas at London City Lionesses stands as one of the most notable transfers of the summer, with both player and club expressing shared ambitions to compete for major honours in the years ahead.