Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji has made history by becoming the most expensive women’s footballer in the world.
After an impressive run in Liga F with Madrid CFF, scoring 33 goals in 43 appearances, Kundananji secured a four-year deal with Bay FC for a staggering $860,000 (£685,000).
At just 23 years old, Kundananji is the first African player, male or female, to break a world transfer record. Her move surpasses the previous most expensive women’s player, England midfielder Keira Walsh, who made a £400,000 move from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022.
Bay FC, who will make their National Women’s Soccer League debut this year, will pay an initial $785,000 for Kundananji, with a further $75,000 in add-ons. “People in Zambia will be surprised but they will be so happy,” said Kundananji, reflecting on the historic move.
Kundananji began her career with Zambian side Indeni Roses before making the move to BIIK Kazygurt in Kazakhstan in 2019. Two years later, she joined Spanish top-flight side Eibar, and eventually made her way to Madrid CFF.
In addition to her club success, Kundananji also made her mark on the international stage by playing and scoring at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and currently has 10 goals in 18 games for Zambia.
The record-breaking move adds to the growing investment in women’s football, with Fifa reporting a 165.5% increase in transfer fees in January 2023, despite a marginal rise of just 0.3% in international transfers.
Kundananji joins Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala and former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie at Bay FC, marking a significant moment in women’s football history.
