Alexia Putellas has agreed personal terms with London City Lionesses, in what would be one of the biggest signings in the history of the Women's Super League. Widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, the Spanish midfielder's arrival represents an extraordinary moment for London City, an independently-run club that has spent only one season in the top flight of English women's football.
Putellas 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. The 32-year-old, who captained Barcelona, wants to pursue a new challenge and has naturally attracted interest from most of the world's wealthiest teams.
Multiple sources confirm that Putellas has agreed a contract with 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 Barcelona teammate Mapi León on free transfers. Putellas would be the biggest coup, as she did not want to join a team that were, or could become, direct rivals to Barcelona.
Putellas 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. She will join having also won the FIFA Best Women's Player award in 2021 and 2022, as well as UEFA's Women's Player of the Year awards in the same years. Overall, she has 147 caps for Spain, the most recent of which came in Friday's 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over England in Mallorca, where she scored twice.
