Alexia Putellas, the two‑time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner, is poised to make a high‑profile move to the London City Lionesses, ending a 14‑year spell at Barcelona.
The 32‑year‑old midfielder will join a squad assembled by Michele Kang, the entrepreneur who also oversees OL Lyonnes and the Washington Spirit. Kang’s vision for the club is to operate as an independent entity, chase a Champions League spot and build a self‑sustaining model.
Putellas rejected overtures from Boston Legacy in the NWSL and had been courted by several European powerhouses, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint‑Germain, before deciding on the London project.
Her decision comes after a trophy‑laden stint in which she helped Barcelona secure four consecutive Women’s Champions League titles, a record that underscores the allure of the Women’s Super League’s newest contender.
Independence and Ambition
London City Lionesses are betting that a blend of home‑grown talent and seasoned international experience can propel them from a sixth‑place finish to a genuine challenge for European qualification.
The club, based in Bromley and founded in 2019, became the first fully independent team promoted to the top flight in 2025. In their debut WSL season they finished sixth of twelve, a promising start that reflects the club’s ambition to compete on its own terms.