Putellas Joins London City Lionesses in Historic WSL Move
Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or recipient, has officially signed a three-year contract with London City Lionesses, marking a significant transfer to the Women’s Super League. The announcement on Wednesday confirmed the end of her 14-year tenure with FC Barcelona.
Putellas, 32, departs Barcelona as one of the most decorated players in the sport, having secured 38 major trophies, including ten league titles and four Champions League victories. She capped her final season with Barcelona by contributing to a second consecutive quadruple, tallying 21 goals and 13 assists. Her move to an independent club from Bromley, which was in the second tier in 2025, represents a major shift for both the player and the WSL.
Known as ‘La Reina’ in Spain, Putellas achieved back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 2021 and 2022. Despite an ACL injury before Euro 2022, she recovered to win the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the squad that finished as runners-up in Euro 2025. Sources indicate that after winning every major honor, she was seeking a new challenge.
The midfielder expressed her competitive drive, stating that her goal is always to win everything, from games to training sessions, and that the highly competitive nature of the WSL was a key factor in her decision. This move is considered the biggest transfer in Women’s Super League history, uniting one of the sport’s greatest players with an ambitious club owner who acquired the London City Lionesses in December 2023.
Sources