Alexia Putellas has chosen to decline interest from NWSL clubs and sign a two-year contract with Barcelona Women.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has spent the past 18 months recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and undergoing keyhole surgery on her knee.
Now fully fit, Putellas has been persuaded by Barcelona’s proposal, with the club confirming her contract extension on Tuesday.
Despite receiving lucrative offers from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Putellas has always intended to remain at Barcelona.
However, before committing to a new contract, she sought assurances about the club’s future direction and her role within the team, according to The Athletic.
In December, Barcelona offered Putellas a contract that would make her the highest-paid player in the squad, effectively doubling her salary.
However, her decision to join the Spanish national team camp in February, against the medical team’s advice, did not sit well with the club.
Despite the initial tension caused by her national team call-up, both parties managed to reach an understanding and have now resolved their differences.
Putellas has the potential to end the current season by securing a treble.
The Catalan club has already won the Liga F and Copa de la Reina trophies, with a UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Lyon still to come.