London City Lionesses have completed the signing of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas in what many are calling one of the greatest coups in women’s football history.
The Spain midfielder, widely regarded as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, left Barcelona in May after 14 years with the club.
Putellas, 32, attracted interest from almost every top club in the world before choosing to join the London side on a free transfer.
She was unveiled in New York City alongside London City’s US billionaire owner Michele Kang, marking a landmark moment for the club and the WSL.
“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with London City Lionesses,” said Putellas, expressing her excitement at joining the ambitious project.
“The club’s ambition and its steadfast commitment to growing as a women-only independent club resonate deeply with me.”
She added: “I look forward to making an impact on the pitch as we challenge for titles.”
Putellas also spoke about her desire to contribute off the pitch, saying she is “equally excited to work with Michele in elevating women’s football in England and on the global stage.”
During her time at Barcelona, the midfielder scored a club record 232 goals in 507 appearances and is second on their all-time appearance list.
She won 38 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 league titles, and captained the club to a fourth Champions League title in her final season.
Putellas won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the side beaten by England in the Euro 2025 final just weeks before her move to London City was confirmed.
BBC Sport had reported last month that Putellas had chosen London City over Boston Legacy, with the two clubs the final contenders for her signature.
Owner Michele Kang was effusive in her praise for the signing, saying: “Alexia Putellas embodies the pinnacle of talent, dedication and vision in women’s football.”
Kang continued: “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,” Kang added, underlining the scale of ambition driving the club forward.
Putellas is believed to be London City’s highest-paid player, arriving on a free transfer having allowed her Barcelona contract to expire at the end of last season.
The club stated that her arrival “is expected to drive significant growth in fan engagement and attendance, both for the club and across the WSL.”
London City also confirmed that her presence “will strengthen the club’s academy and youth development programmes through world-class mentorship and inspiration.”
The signing represents a staggering rise for a club that was celebrating promotion from the second tier of English women’s football just last summer, before finishing sixth in their debut WSL campaign.
Kang’s investment has not been limited to transfer activity, with funds also directed toward training facilities, medical research, staffing, and wages, signalling serious long-term intent.
