Alexia Putellas Joins London City After 232 Goals and 38 Trophies at Barcelona

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has joined London City Lionesses, ending a 14-year tenure at Barcelona where she won 10 Liga F titles.

Alexia Putellas has officially joined London City Lionesses, ending a 14-year career at Barcelona where she secured 38 trophies and scored a club-record 232 goals for the women's team. The 32-year-old midfielder, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, arrives in the Women's Super League (WSL) following a high-profile unveiling alongside owner Michele Kang in New York. Putellas is the first Ballon d'Or recipient to play in the English top flight, joining a side that finished sixth in the standings last season after gaining promotion from the second tier.

The former Barcelona captain, known as 'La Reina' at her previous club, departs the Spanish giants as their second-highest all-time scorer, trailing only Lionel Messi’s 672 goals. During her time in Spain, she won 10 Liga F titles and four Champions League trophies. Her move to London City follows an aggressive recruitment drive by Kang, who also secured former Barcelona players Mapi León, Jana Fernández, María Pérez, and Lucía Corrales to join the ambitious project founded in 2019.

Ambitions for a More Complete Game

Speaking at a news conference in London, Putellas stated she is "100% committed" and "hungry to win" while seeking to become a more complete player. She noted that the WSL offers larger spaces on the pitch compared to the tactical environment at Barcelona. The midfielder emphasized that her decision was driven by a desire to test her limits in a league where she believes every game will push her to new physical and technical boundaries.

Putellas acknowledged the transition from a club where silverware was guaranteed to a developing project is a significant change. She described the move as a "new beginning" and expressed excitement about playing in different positions she has not occupied previously. The Spaniard confirmed she has no specific expectations for the upcoming season, preferring to let the hard work of the pre-season speak for itself once competition begins.

Adapting to the London Environment

Off the pitch, Putellas is navigating her first relocation since 2012, when she moved from Levante to Barcelona. She described the daily adjustments of living in London, including managing heavy traffic and locating grocery stores. The midfielder mentioned she has already sampled a traditional English breakfast, noting its distinct difference from Spanish cuisine. While she admitted the presence of former teammates and staff members has eased her adaptation, she clarified that their signings did not influence her final decision to join the club.

The Path to European Qualification

Under Michele Kang’s ownership, London City Lionesses aim to dismantle the established elite in England, where only three clubs have won the WSL title in the last decade. To qualify for the Champions League next season, the team must secure a top-three finish in the league standings. Putellas is scheduled to make her competitive debut for the Lionesses against Manchester United.

The midfielder highlighted the unpredictability of the WSL as a primary attraction, contrasting it with the domestic dominance she experienced in Spain, where Barcelona has won every league title since the 2019-20 season. She remains focused on day-to-day improvement and contributing her experience to help the club reach its goal of becoming a contender in both England and Europe.