Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and four-time Champions League winner, has joined London City Lionesses, marking a significant move for the Women’s Super League. Putellas, who previously spent 14 years with Barcelona, expressed her commitment to her new team and her desire for continued improvement.
The Spanish international stated, “I’m hungry to win, to be better day after day, to fight with my teammates for the victory.” She also noted that she is 100% committed to the project at London City Lionesses, aiming to contribute whatever the team needs from her. Putellas believes that moving to England will offer her new experiences and help her become a more complete player.
A New Chapter in England
Putellas’s arrival is part of a series of high-profile signings for London City Lionesses this summer, backed by businesswoman Michele Kang. Other notable additions include French forward Kadidiatou Diani from Lyon, Putellas’s former Barcelona teammate Mapi León, and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps from PSG. Putellas’s signing is considered the most impactful, drawing attention across women’s football.
London City Lionesses were promoted to the WSL in 2025 and finished sixth in their first top-flight season. Despite their recent promotion and lack of major trophies, Putellas is not focused on immediate expectations. She emphasised, “I don’t have expectations. I just want the hard work we are doing to speak for itself.” She added that she has a competitive mindset and wants to win every game, but believes in focusing on hard work rather than expectations.
Adapting to the WSL and London Life
Putellas anticipates that the WSL will offer a different style of play, which she believes will enhance her skills. She mentioned that the league is very competitive, with games pushing players to their limits, making it an entertaining league. This competitive environment is a key reason for her move, as she seeks to learn new things and explore her limits as a player.
The transition to England has involved adapting to new surroundings, including finding an apartment and navigating London’s traffic. Putellas also shared her experience trying an English fry-up, describing it as “quite different,” particularly the sausages and eggs, though she found it “fine.” She is actively working on improving her English language skills, acknowledging that she is still learning.
Putellas will have support in settling in, with six Spanish teammates and head coach Eder Maestre, who she praised for his work with Tenerife. Maestre spent a year and a half at Tenerife, guiding them to a sixth-place finish in his only full season before his move to England. Putellas believes the tactical differences in the English game will allow her to develop new aspects of her play, such as controlling box-to-box situations and different game types.
Conversations with Former Teammates
Before her move, Putellas spoke with former Barcelona teammates, including England internationals Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, about what to expect in the WSL. She humorously recounted their warnings that the league is tough and that she would be “kicked,” clarifying that she was “just joking” about their comments. She expressed readiness for the challenges ahead, stating, “I’m ready for that, or trying to be ready.”
The decision to announce Putellas as a London City Lionesses player took place in New York, with the event streamed live on YouTube. This announcement was made alongside Michele Kang, who also owns clubs in France and the United States under the Kynisca multi-club ownership group. Putellas’s debut for London City Lionesses is scheduled for 5 September at Hayes Lane in Bromley, where they will face Manchester United to open the new WSL season.
Source: theguardian.com
