Double Ballon d'Or winner Putellas to join London City Lionesses

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has opted to join Women's Super League club London City Lionesses, sources close to the player have told BBC Sport. The 32-year-old Spanish midfielder left Barcelona in May after 14 years at the club, where she won 38 trophies including 10 league titles and four Champions League titles.

Decision over Boston Legacy

Putellas chose the South London club over Boston Legacy in the United States, the final two among many clubs vying for her signature. Almost every club in world football with the financial capability to sign Putellas expressed interest, but London City Lionesses have won the battle.

No final agreement yet

Although the Lionesses are confident of completing the deal, club sources say there is no final agreement yet. Sources indicate London City Lionesses have been pursuing Putellas since January and there was always confidence they could strike a deal. She will join on a free transfer after allowing her Barcelona contract to run out, though the club is believed to have offered her substantial wages.

Remarkable scoop for London City Lionesses

It is a remarkable scoop for London City Lionesses, an independent women's football club that continues to raise eyebrows in the transfer market. They finished sixth in their debut season in the top-flight last year, while Putellas led Barcelona to a fourth Champions League title in her final season.

Putellas's career achievements

Putellas is widely regarded as one of women's football's greatest players. She scored a club record 232 goals in 507 appearances for Barcelona and is second on the all-time appearance list, just nine behind Melanie Serrano on 516. She won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the squad that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.

Putellas was ruled out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and returned at the end of the following season. Since her return to full fitness, she has shown the types of performances that earned her back-to-back Ballon d'Or accolades in 2021 and 2022.