AL HAYAT - Spain women's star Putellas to join London City Lionesses

Last month, after helping Barcelona to claim a fourth Champions League title, the 32-year-old two-time Ballon d'Or winner announced she would be leaving the Catalans after 14 years.

Putellas had earlier on Thursday announced she was unharmed after two major earthquakes hit Venezuela, where she is at present, that killed at least 188 people.

After hesitating between the London club and Boston Legacy FC in the United States, Putellas made her decision and reached an agreement on Thursday, preferring "to stay in Europe", according to the same source.

Contacted by AFP, the London club did not immediately respond.

The attacking midfielder wanted to continue playing at the highest level in order to "prepare as well as possible for the World Cup and the Olympic Games" with her national team but without having to “play against Barca."

London City Lionesses will not play in the Champions League next season, having finished 6th in the league in their first WSL campaign.

Putellas began with Barcelona in 2012 and apart from the European success racked up 10 Liga titles.

"They were 14 seasons and more than 500 matches, with moments that will remain forever engraved in Barca’s memory and in my heart," the Blaugrana captain said in a video posted on her social networks.

She also won the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the squad that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.

Putellas wants to play "in a place with a new project, demonstrating that a women‑only football club also has potential and can be profitable," according to the source close to the matter.

Several other well‑known players have already signed for the Lionesses: French players Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro joined last season while former England goalkeeper Mary Earps made the move last week.

P.Hassan--al-Hayat