Mapi Leon, the 31-year-old Spain defender, signed a three-year contract with Women's Super League club London City Lionesses on July 13, 2026 [1, 2]. Leon spent nine years at Barcelona, where she won 27 trophies including four Women’s Champions League titles [3, 1, 2].
Leon has earned more than 50 caps for Spain and played a key role in their 2025 Nations League title win. She returned to the national team in October 2025 following nearly three years away due to a boycott over disputes with the Spanish Football Federation. The dispute caused her to miss the 2023 Women’s World Cup and Euro 2025 tournaments [3].
Joining London City Lionesses reunites her with former Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner who signed for the club earlier [3, 1, 2]. London City Lionesses were promoted to the WSL in 2025 and finished sixth in their debut season. The club is the only fully independent women’s top-flight team in England, unaffiliated with any men’s side [3, 1, 2].
American billionaire Michele Kang backs the club and aims to grow women's football. Leon called Kang "an inspirational woman who wants women's football to develop and thrive," and said she was eager to be part of a club created specifically for women [3].
Leon said she was "excited and happy to be here" and sees the club’s project as "interesting and attractive." She added, "I played in Spain for many years and felt now was the right time to move because of the project here. The English league is helping women's football grow. I wanted to test myself in another country, another league, and playing a different type of football." [3, 1]
Other recent signings at London City include goalkeeper Mary Earps, forward Nicole Anyomi, and defender Janni Thomsen [3]. Leon hopes her experience and leadership will help the Lionesses push for qualification to European competitions this season [3].
