Two time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has signed for London City Lionesses following the expiry of her contract with FC Barcelona.
As reported by the BBC’s Emma Sanders the Spanish midfielder has signed a three year deal with the club. Perhaps the biggest transfer of the Barclays Women’s Super League era, London City are thought to have fought off interest from a number of top clubs to win Putellas’ signature.
Boston Legacy were the final club in the running with London City. The NWSL club’s Spanish General Manager and former FC Barcelona Chief Executive, Domènec Guasch was likely a key draw. However eventually they were unable to compete with Michele Kang’s pitch to Putellas to join London City.
Putellas ‘thrilled’ by new chapter at London City Lionesses
In an event live streamed around the world and hosted by former Arsenal centre back Jen Beattie in New York, Alexia Putellas was announced as London City’s latest signing.
‘La Reina’, as she is affectionately known by fans was joined on stage by club owner Michele Kang with both taking questions from Beattie and the audience,
“I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with London City Lionesses” noted Putellas. “The club’s ambition and its steadfast commitment to growing as a women-only independent club resonate deeply with me.
“I look forward to making an impact on the pitch as we challenge for titles.
“Off the pitch, building on my passion for youth development, I am equally excited to work with Michele [Kang] in elevating women’s football in England and on the global stage.”
Alexia Putellas signing is a ‘bold statement’ lauds Michele Kang
Michele Kang’s leadership has already seen London City Lionesses reach levels previously unimaginable. They finished sixth in the Barclays Women’s Super League last term in their first season in the top flight.
However signing Putellas, one of the greatest players ever to lace up their boots, is astonishing next step,
“Alexia Putellas embodies the pinnacle of talent, dedication, and vision in women’s football” Kang said. “Her decision to join our independent, women-first club is a powerful endorsement of what we are building at London City and Kynisca.
“This is more than a signing, it is a bold statement about the future of the sport.
“Together, we will compete at the highest levels while creating new commercial opportunities and development pathways for the next generation of female athletes.”
Alexia Putellas is London City Lionesses fourth signing of the summer following the arrival of Mary Earps, Janni Thompsen and Nicole Anyomi. The Bromley based club have also extended the contracts of key players such as Freya Godfrey, Poppy Pattinson, María Pérez and Elena Lete as well as young goalkeeper Sophie Hillyerd.
