Alexia Putellas has agreed personal terms with London City Lionesses, marking a monumental moment for the Women's Super League. Widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, the Spanish midfielder's arrival represents one of the most significant signings in the league's history and an extraordinary coup for London City, an independently run club with only one season in the top flight.
Putellas leaves Barcelona after 14 years
The 32-year-old left Barcelona last month upon the expiry of her contract with the club she represented for 14 years. During her tenure, she won 10 Liga F titles, four Champions League titles, and the World Cup with Spain in 2023. She has also been twice named a Ballon d'Or winner and captained Barcelona. Putellas now seeks a new challenge and has attracted interest from some of the world's wealthiest teams.
London City's grand ambitions
Putellas has been heavily linked with a move to London City, who have made no secret of their grand ambitions under the ownership of American businesswoman Michele Kang. Coached by Spaniard Eder Maestre, London City are also close to signing Mary Earps and Putellas's former Barcelona teammate Mapi León on free transfers after agreements were reached with the pair. Putellas would be the biggest coup of the lot, with it being known that she did not want to join a team that were, or could be, direct rivals to Barcelona.
Impressed by vision
The midfielder has been enthused by the ambition of London City, who finished sixth in their debut WSL season and, in September, received approval to build a new performance campus on 28 acres of land at Cobdown Park. Putellas will join having also won the FIFA Best Women's Player award in 2021 and 2022, as well as the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award in the same years. She has 147 caps for Spain, the most recent of which came in the 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory against England in Mallorca on Friday, where she scored twice.
