Alexia Putellas, one of the most decorated players in women's football history, has reportedly agreed to join London City after leaving FC Barcelona as a free agent. According to The Guardian, the 32-year-old Spanish forward has reached a contract agreement with the club owned by American businesswoman Michèle Kang. The move would bring the two-time Ballon d'Or winner to the Women's Super League for the first time in her career.
Putellas spent 14 seasons at Barcelona, making 513 appearances and scoring 234 goals. She leaves after winning 10 Liga F titles, four UEFA Women's Champions League crowns, and two Ballon d'Or awards (2021 and 2022). Her final season with Barcelona ended with a Champions League victory, cementing her legacy as a club legend.
Putellas' Barcelona Legacy
Joining Barcelona at age 18 in 2012, Putellas developed into the team's creative heartbeat. She played a pivotal role in Barcelona's transformation from a domestic power to a European dynasty. Under her leadership, Barcelona won their first Champions League in 2021, then repeated in 2023 and 2024. Putellas' vision, passing range, and goal-scoring ability made her the focal point of Barcelona's possession-based style.
Individually, Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Féminin in 2021 and 2022, becoming only the second player after Ada Hegerberg to win it multiple times. She also claimed the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award in 2021 and was named to the FIFA FIFPRO World XI five times. For Spain, she earned 135 caps and scored 38 goals, winning the 2023 Women's World Cup despite missing the early rounds due to injury.
London City's Ambitious Project
London City, based in Bromley, has rapidly ascended in English women's football. The club was acquired by Michèle Kang in 2023, the same year she took control of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and Washington Spirit. Kang's multi-club model aims to create a global network for women's football, and London City is the latest piece of that puzzle.
In their first season in the Women's Super League (2025-26), London City finished sixth, a strong debut for a newly promoted side. The club has invested heavily in facilities, coaching, and player recruitment. Adding Putellas would be a statement of intent, signaling that London City intends to challenge the established order of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
What Putellas Brings to London City
Putellas' technical ability and experience could transform London City's midfield. She excels at dictating tempo, breaking defensive lines with through balls, and scoring from range. Her leadership qualities are proven at both club and international level. At 32, she still has several high-level seasons left. The move also offers her a new challenge after a decade and a half in Spain.
Playing in England means adapting to a more physical and faster-paced league. However, Putellas' intelligence and technique should allow her to thrive. She will likely be the focal point of London City's attack, supported by players like Japan's Hinata Miyazawa and England's Lucy Bronze, who also joined recently.
Impact on the Women's Super League
The WSL has become the most competitive women's league in the world, attracting top talent from around the globe. Putellas' arrival would be one of the biggest transfers in the league's history, comparable to Sam Kerr joining Chelsea or Vivianne Miedema moving to Arsenal. It underscores the growing financial power and global appeal of English women's football.
For Barcelona, Putellas' departure ends an era. The club is undergoing a transition, with several long-serving players leaving this summer. However, Barcelona's academy continues to produce world-class talent, and they remain heavy favorites in Spain and Europe.
The transfer has not yet been officially confirmed, but multiple sources indicate an agreement is in place. A formal announcement is expected after Putellas completes a medical and finalizes personal terms. The news has already generated significant excitement among London City supporters and the wider women's football community.
Alexia Putellas' next chapter begins in England. If the deal goes through, London City will have secured one of the sport's true icons. The move could reshape the balance of power in the WSL and give Kang's multi-club project a marquee name to build around.
Source:L'Équipe News