London City Lionesses have completed the biggest transfer in Women's Super League history, signing two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas on a free transfer from Barcelona. The 32-year-old midfielder, known in Spain as La Reina, has agreed a three-year contract with Michele Kang's independent Bromley-based club, ending a 14-year association with the Catalan giants.
It is a landmark moment for the WSL. A player who captained Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2026, won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and collected back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 2021 and 2022 has chosen a club that was playing second-tier football as recently as 2025.
Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Alexia Putellas |
| Age | 32 |
| From | Barcelona (contract expired) |
| To | London City Lionesses |
| Fee | Free transfer |
| Contract | Three years, to summer 2029 |
| Reported salary | Under £1m base, plus add-ons and bonuses |
Why Putellas Left Barcelona
Putellas spent 14 years at Barcelona, collecting 38 major honours including 10 league titles and four Champions League crowns. Her peak years of 2021 and 2022 brought consecutive Ballon d'Or awards, before a serious knee injury suffered on the eve of Euro 2022 interrupted her dominance. She returned to lift the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and featured in the side beaten by England in the Euro 2025 final.
With her contract in Catalonia expiring this summer, the midfielder decided the time was right for a fresh challenge. Reports suggest a move to English football had long appealed to her, and although she received offers from clubs in England, the United States and Mexico, with NWSL side Boston Legacy understood to have pushed hardest, London City always believed they were front-runners.
The Kang Factor
Central to the deal is owner Michele Kang, the American businesswoman who bought London City Lionesses in December 2023 and also owns Lyon and Washington Spirit through her Kynisca group. Putellas and Kang first met over dinner in Miami four years ago, and their shared vision for growing the women's game underpinned years of conversations at events and award ceremonies.
Putellas is understood to have admired Kang's ambition from her Barcelona days, when Kang's Lyon side were regular continental rivals. There is also talk of a business relationship extending beyond her playing days, with the Spaniard keen to leave a legacy off the pitch as well as on it.
The Spanish core already assembled in Bromley helped too. General Manager Gonzalo Rodriguez Garcia, former Barcelona executive Markel Zubizarreta and head coach Eder Maestre give the club a distinctly Spanish structure, while close friend Jana Fernandez has thrived since arriving from Barcelona last year. Spain defender Mapi Leon is expected to follow, which would take the Spanish contingent in the squad to at least seven.
How the Deal Fits the WSL Salary Rules
Putellas becomes London City's highest-paid player, though her base salary is reported to be under £1m before add-ons, with no separate image rights arrangement. WSL regulations restrict club wage bills to 80% of total revenue, plus additional owner investment of up to £4m, and Kynisca's backing allows the newly promoted club to accommodate the deal within that soft cap.
For context, established heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea posted revenues of around £21.5m and £21.3m respectively in 2025, giving them far greater headroom. London City's revenue figures since winning promotion to the top flight have not yet been published, making Kang's permitted investment all the more significant.
What It Means for the WSL
Putellas has sacrificed Champions League football this season to join the project, a remarkable call from a player who lifted the trophy as captain only weeks ago. London City's five-year plan targets silverware, with European qualification the stated ambition for the coming campaign. With a World Cup on the horizon in 2027, the three-year deal gives her stability through the peak of the international cycle.
The wider ripple effects could be profound. The WSL continues to pull the world's best players away from Liga F and the NWSL, and rival clubs will view this signing as a signal that standing still is no longer an option. It may also reignite debate around the league's salary cap and whether it protects or restricts clubs lower down the table, given the widening financial gap at the top of the English football pyramid.
One question lingers for the future: UEFA rules prevent multi-club owners fielding more than one team in the Champions League. Should London City achieve their European ambitions, Kang would face a choice between her London and Lyon projects.
Putellas is expected to join the club's leadership group and will arrive early for pre-season, turning down commercial opportunities around the men's 2026 World Cup to settle in. For all the latest football stories, visit our news section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about Alexia Putellas joining London City Lionesses.
Why did Alexia Putellas leave Barcelona?
Her contract expired in the summer of 2026 and, having won every major honour available at club level, she felt ready for a new challenge. A move to the WSL had long appealed to her.
How long is Alexia Putellas' contract at London City Lionesses?
She has signed a three-year deal running to the summer of 2029, taking her through the 2027 World Cup cycle.
How much will Alexia Putellas earn at London City Lionesses?
Her base salary is reported to be under £1m per year, with add-ons and bonuses on top. She becomes the club's highest-paid player and there is no image rights deal.
Who owns London City Lionesses?
American businesswoman Michele Kang, who acquired the club in December 2023. Through her Kynisca group she also owns Lyon in France and Washington Spirit in the NWSL.
Is this the biggest transfer in WSL history?
In terms of profile, yes. A two-time Ballon d'Or winner and reigning Champions League-winning captain joining the English top flight is widely regarded as the most significant signing the WSL has ever made.
Will Alexia Putellas play Champions League football this season?
No. London City Lionesses did not qualify for Europe, so Putellas has given up Champions League football for at least one season, though the club are targeting a European qualification spot in the WSL.