Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has chosen to sign for Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses.
The 32-year-old departed Barcelona in May after 14 seasons and is widely considered one of the greatest players in the women’s game.
Sources close to Putellas told BBC Sport she selected the South London club ahead of Boston Legacy in the United States, the last two contenders from a crowded field for her signature.
While the Lionesses are optimistic the transfer will be completed, club insiders caution that no final agreement has been reached yet.
It marks a stunning coup for the independent club, who continue to surprise observers with their ambitious recruitment.
The Lionesses placed sixth in their first season in the top flight last year, as Putellas captained Barcelona to a fourth Champions League crown.
Virtually every club with the resources to compete made an approach, but London City Lionesses have emerged victorious.
During her Barcelona career, Putellas amassed 38 trophies, including 10 league titles.
The Spain midfielder scored a club-record 232 goals in 507 matches and ranks second for all-time appearances, just nine shy of Melanie Serrano’s 516.
Internationally, she won the 2023 World Cup with Spain and helped the team finish runners-up to England at Euro 2025.
She missed Euro 2022 after suffering an ACL injury on the eve of the tournament, returning to action at the end of the following season.
Since regaining full fitness, Putellas has rediscovered the form that earned her back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 2021 and 2022.
Insiders say London City Lionesses have pursued her since January and remained confident throughout that they could land her.
She is set to arrive on a free transfer after her Barcelona contract expired, with the Lionesses understood to have tabled a lucrative salary package.