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From Barcelona to Bromley: Inside Putellas’ move to LCLFigure caption, Alexia Putellas joins London City LionessesByEmma Sanders
When Michele Kang acquired London City Lionesses in December 2023, it would have been an insane prediction to say that Alexia Putellas would join as a player two and a half years later.
But here we are – one of the greatest female players of all-time and one of the world’s most ambitious owners have united to create a formidable partnership.
Putellas, known in Spain as ‘La Reina’ – the Queen – has won everything there is to win at club level and is a world champion with the national team.
Her honours list is almost longer than London City Lionesses’ entire summary on Wikipedia and Putellas has 44x more followers on Instagram than the club.
So how has an independent club from Bromley, who were playing in the second tier in 2025, secured the biggest transfer in Women’s Super League history?
Image source, Getty ImagesAlexia Putellas was given a send-off celebration after Barcelona’s final league match of the season
Putellas was Barcelona’s superstar for 14 years, helping them win an astonishing 38 major trophies, including 10 league titles and four Champions Leagues.
She peaked in 2021 and 2022, earning back-to-back Ballon d’Or accolades, before an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the eve of Euro 2022 shook her.
The midfielder recovered in time to win the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the squad that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
In short, she had won it all and sources say she felt it was time for a change.
With her contract expiring at Barcelona, Putellas made the decision to leave and it’s believed she always liked the idea of a move to the WSL.
That put London City Lionesses in the driving seat and they pursued her for some time despite competition from the majority of the world’s top clubs.
She had offers from England, Mexico and the United States, with sources close to the player stating Boston Legacy provided the stiffest competition.
However, it’s believed she admired US billionaire Kang’s ambitions for the women’s game having been a long-standing rival to the owner’s successful French club Lyon.
There was a connection between Putellas and Kang, with sources close to the owner suggesting a business partnership beyond the midfielder’s playing career is likely to establish and flourish.
The Spaniard revealed on Wednesday the pair first met in Miami four years ago when they had dinner, and they discussed their vision for the game.
Putellas’ hopes were to join a club she could impact off the pitch, as well as on it, and to leave a legacy which will help grow the future of the game.
She has given up the chance of playing Champions League football this season – a huge decision for someone who captained Barcelona to victory in 2026.
But it is in London City’s five-year plan to be competing for trophies and they hope to challenge for a European qualification spot in the WSL this season.
With a World Cup looming next year, Putellas would have wanted to have been settled in 2027, with a three-year deal in Bromley securing her future.
Image source, London City LionessesAlexia Putellas has never played her club football away from Barcelona
Kang’s influence was massive on Putellas with the US owner engaging in regular conversation at events and award ceremonies.
As a result, London City Lionesses were always confident they could persuade Putellas to join, despite only agreeing terms in recent weeks.
The club did not put in a request to Barcelona to approach Putellas in January, which they would have been eligible to, because she had stated she wanted to see out the season with no distractions.
Her contract was signed this month and it is understood Putellas did not discuss her decision with any team-mates.
Naturally, Kang’s money was helpful. She could provide the funds needed to pay Putellas what she is worth and make her the club’s highest paid player.
Sources at London City say she is earning less than £1m as a base salary, though potential add-ons and bonuses will increase it. There are no image rights deals.
WSL players cannot earn higher than 80% of the club’s total revenue, plus any additional investment up to £4m.
For example, the WSL’s highest earners Arsenal and Chelsea had revenue of £21.5m and £21.3m in 2025, meaning they had a potential wage structure of around £21m if they had the £4m extra investment.
For London City, that investment is from Kynisca (Kang’s business) and Putellas’ wages must sit within their soft salary cap. Their total revenue has not been released yet having only earned promotion to the WSL last year.
But it was the project Kang has funded – an ambitious independent club, with hopes of competing for a European spot, and with intentions to grow the women’s game – which largely attracted Putellas.
There is also Spanish influence at London City Lionesses with General Manager Gonzalo Rodriguez Garcia and former Barcelona executive Markel Zubizarreta in key organisation roles, as well as manager Eder Maestre.
Putellas’ close friend Jana Fernandez has flourished since her move from Barcelona to London City last year, and the arrival of Spain defender Mapi Leon is imminent.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlexia Putellas was a guest for a London City Lionesses game in Bromley in January
Putellas is expected to join London City’s leadership group and there are hopes she will set the standards in training and with her professionalism.
It’s understood she is arriving in London earlier than planned for pre-season, turning down commercial opportunities at the men’s World Cup.
Her profile will help grow London City’s brand and marketing opportunities – crucial components for a club building a fanbase from scratch.
Her arrival could also be the catalyst for other top players to join the club. Sources at London City say they have already had enquiries based on their links to Putellas.
But for London City Lionesses’ rivals, Putellas’ arrival is a terrifying sight.
Kang and Putellas symbolise a powerful partnership which can help propel WSL football, as well as launch the club into one of Europe’s powerhouses.
It is likely to cause a stir among the WSL’s elite as they will know they need to continue to invest to stay ahead. That is a good thing for the competition.
While the United States has historically dominated the international scene and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) remains an attractive league, they are falling behind the WSL’s ability to bring in the world’s best players.
Spain, the reigning world champions, are losing more players to the WSL, with London City Lionesses set to have at least seven Spaniards in their squad this season.
There is also a question of financial disparity. While Putellas joined on a free, the ability of top clubs to pay substantial wages is worrying for teams in the bottom half of the WSL.
It could spark new debate on the WSL’s salary cap and whether it helps boost investment, or hinders the development of other clubs who simply don’t have the capacity to grow at the same rapid rate.
There will also be one eye on Uefa’s ruling which prevents multi-club owners from having more than one club in the Champions League.
Will Kang stand down at Lyon or London City Lionesses should the latter achieve their ambitions?
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