London City Lionesses have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas on a three-year deal in one of the biggest scoops in women’s football history.

Spain midfielder Putellas, widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest players, left Barcelona after 14 years in May and attracted interest from almost every top club in the world.

The 32-year-old won 38 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 league titles.

She was signed on a free transfer and is believed to be earning a base salary of under £1million a year, although that will increase with bonuses.

She was unveiled in New York City alongside London City’s US billionaire owner Michele Kang.

Putellas told BBC Sport: “Everything has a beginning and an end. The history [at Barcelona] was perfect. After 14 years, I felt it was the perfect moment to leave.

“I need to challenge myself every season. I needed something completely different to what I lived in Barcelona.

“First of all, there is no men’s club behind the women’s team here. It is a female owner at the club. I am in a new league – the most competitive league – that means I can push myself to my limits.

“I know a lot of people are saying it’s about money, but it is not. If it was, I wouldn’t be here. It is a lot of things behind it.”

She captained Barcelona to a fourth Champions League title in her final season, while London City finished sixth in their debut Women’s Super League campaign.

It is a remarkable feat for London City to have persuaded Putellas to join as they continue to show lofty ambitions.

BBC Sport reported last month how she chose London City over Boston Legacy, the final two clubs vying for her signature.

“It is certainly a transformational opportunity and a breakthrough for a team like London City. It means the world to us,” owner Kang told BBC Sport.

“It will take the club to the next level. I think it can help take the WSL to the next level. Certainly, the arrival of Alexia and others will help increase the competitiveness.

“Fans love to see competitive games and great players and that is what I’m trying to bring not just to London City Lionesses, but to the WSL.

“That is how you move the needle for women’s sport. I’m confident it will prove to be a significant event.”

Putellas scored a club record 232 goals in 507 appearances for Barcelona, and is second on their all-time appearance list.

She won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the side beaten by England in the Euro 2025 final.

Putellas was ruled out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and returned at the end of the following season.

Following her return to full fitness, she showed the performances that earned her back-to-back Ballon d’Or trophies in 2021 and 2022.

She joins on a free transfer, having allowed her Barcelona contract to run out, and is believed to be London City’s highest-paid player.

Last summer London City were celebrating promotion from the second tier of English football, while Putellas was mourning defeat in the Euro 2025 and Champions League finals.

That in itself shows the scale of London City’s growth, as well as the magnitude of the coup they have pulled off to bring Putellas to the club.

She is without a doubt one of the greatest players in women’s football history and now fans in Bromley can watch her play every week.

It is an exciting addition for the WSL as a whole and will no doubt increase further sponsorship and marketing opportunities.

London City said in a statement: “Putellas’ arrival is expected to drive significant growth in fan engagement and attendance, both for the club and across the WSL.

“Her presence will also strengthen the club’s academy and youth development programmes through world-class mentorship and inspiration.”

London City will naturally benefit the most and it is a scary prospect for their rivals as Kang continues to show ambition and provide funds.

It is not just on the pitch where her money has gone – she has invested in training facilities, wages, staffing and medical research.

There is no hiding from the fact that London City have the financial capability to disrupt the game’s elite and are quickly catching up.

It will be a nudge to those at the top of the WSL to watch their backs as London City – and Putellas – hope to compete for a European spot.

The announcement was made at the swanky W Hotel in New York’s Union Square and live-streamed for maximum impact. The intimate, polished event was clearly choreographed to present an image that women’s football is entering a new era.

About three dozen investors, influencers and members of the media gathered in a room with large marble columns, gold light fixtures and plush furniture, with a DJ spinning upbeat music.

A large stage was flanked by photos of Putellas in her new team jersey, and before she was introduced a slick video was played.

In it, the 32-year-old, two-time Ballon d’Or winner declared “the future belongs to those willing to build it” and that all eyes are now on London City Lionesses – “a club that believes the best is still to come”.

Then, Kang joined her on stage for a panel discussion and questions from the audience. The logo of Kang’s company, Kynisca, was all over the event – on the stage, a photo backdrop, gift bags and even on cookies laid out with a spread of pastries at the coffee bar.

It’s a reminder of the massive investment being made by Kang to sign one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and on her ambitious project across not just the London City Lionesses, but also the Washington Spirit and the OL Lyonnes.

She told the crowd the sport stands on its own and doesn’t need validation from the men’s league – a sentiment Putellas also believes in.

Asked how she had persuaded Putellas to join, Kang told BBC Sport: “Frankly, it didn’t really take a lot. We share similar passions and visions for women’s sport.

“She won everything and needed the next level of challenge. She felt, as one of the greatest players, she had a lot to add to this project.

“It’s an independent women’s-only team. It’s a really dedicated and focused attention. She absolutely loved that idea.

“Psychologically, coming from the Champions League winners and where she has won Ballon d’Ors to a team in their second season in the WSL cannot have been an easy decision, so I’m really grateful to her for that.”