London City Lionesses have confirmed the signing of Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas, unveiling the two-time Ballon d'Or winner at an event in New York. The 32-year-old joins on a free transfer after leaving Barcelona at the end of the season, ending a 14-year spell at the Catalan club, and her arrival is a landmark moment for the Women's Super League as one of the game's all-time greats moves to England.

Putellas said the ambition of the American-owned, women-only independent club and its commitment to youth development had drawn her in, while she was also reportedly motivated by avoiding a direct Barcelona rival such as Arsenal or Chelsea, with London City said to have offered a more lucrative deal. The club, owned by Michele Kang and based in Bromley, finished sixth in their debut top-flight season and have already recruited Mary Earps, Janni Thomsen and Nicole Anyomi, with Mapi León also expected. Putellas, a 2023 World Cup winner and two-time Fifa Best award recipient, scored 234 goals in 513 games for Barcelona, helping them to four Champions League titles, 10 league titles and 10 Spanish Cups.