
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 5, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Team Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas (11) chases down the ball in the first half against Team Japan during the She Believes Cup soccer series at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Fans were hyped up after Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas' transfer move. After 14 years with Barcelona FC, the Spanish star has joined London City Lionesses.
GiveMeSports' Ben Jaacobs reported that Boston Legacy FC, the newest club in NWSL, had emerged as a frontrunner to land the soccer star. According to Jacobs, Putellas was even in active negotiations with the club until yesterday. However, she later decided to stay in Europe.
"Putellas prefers to stay in Europe and play in what she considers to be the best league in the world," Jacobs wrote on X.
This preference ultimately led her to the London City Lionesses over the NWSL.
Jacobs highlighted that Putellas’ move was more than financial. He reported that the two-time Ballon d'Or Féminin winner wanted to “help demonstrate that a women's-only football club and brand can have long-term potential and profitability.”
London City is among the few women-exclusive soccer clubs in Europe. Glasgow City FC and FC Como Women are a few others that only field women's soccer players.
Excitement fills fans after Alexia Putellas' move to London City Lionesses
The excitement among soccer fans skyrocketed with the news. For fans, the arrival of one of the greatest soccer players in the WSL was a big win for the league.
Putellas is the first Ballon d'Or winner to join the Lionesses. The unprecedented move is the biggest in the club's history since its founding in 2019.
“Ballon d'Or winner in the WSL?! This league just leveled up,” an excited fan said.
“Another legend joining WSL. Welcome to the best league in the world, Alexia Putellas," another excited fan wrote.
New London Lionesses is one of the few soccer clubs in Europe that doesn’t have a male counterpart club. Putellas's joining them brings a lot of attention to the club.
Fans said it was more of a statement from the soccer star than just a monetary decision.
“Alexia Putellas backing a women's-only club project is a statement. This could be a game-changing moment for the league,” one fan commented.
However, some fans wondered if Putellas had decided with a bigger goal in mind that went beyond her retirement.
“Why would Putellas join London City Lionesses? Maybe she wants to buy the team after her retirement.”
“Huge news, but I’m waiting for the official confirmation before fully losing my mind,” one cautious fan wrote.
Lionesses played their last game on May 16 in the Women's Super League. The club played its first game in 2019 and is still a work in progress. Putellas' arrival will be a big boost for the club.
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Written by
Nandjee Ranjan
Edited by
Koushik Biswas