Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji has made history by becoming the most expensive women’s footballer to date, following her transfer from Madrid CFF to Bay FC for a staggering $860,000 (£685,000).
The forward, who impressively netted 33 goals in 43 Liga F appearances for Madrid, has finalized a four-year contract with the American club, with the possibility of extending for an additional year.
This year marks the inaugural season for Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.
At 23 years old, Kundananji makes history as the first African player, regardless of gender, to set a global transfer record.
Prior to this groundbreaking transfer, England midfielder Keira Walsh held the title of the most expensive women’s player after her £400,000 move from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022.
Chelsea’s potential deal to acquire Colombia striker Mayra Ramirez from Levante for an initial £384,000, with additional bonuses potentially increasing it to £426,600, could have surpassed this record.
However, the spotlight now shines on Kundananji’s landmark move from Spain to San Jose, where Bay FC will host their home matches.
“People in Zambia will be surprised but they will be so happy,” Kundananji told BBC Sport Africa.
“I want to give the [Bay FC] fans what they want – to enjoy the games, to enjoy seeing me playing and scoring.”
Bay FC will initially pay $785,000 for Kundananji, with an additional $75,000 in potential add-ons.
Kundananji initiated her career with Zambian club Indeni Roses before transferring to BIIK Kazygurt in Kazakhstan in 2019, where she made her debut in the Women’s Champions League.
After two years, she joined Eibar, a Spanish top-flight team, and her impressive tally of eight league goals in her sole season with the Basque club led to a transfer to Madrid.
During her tenure with Madrid CFF, she scored 25 goals in 29 league matches, contributing to the team’s historic fifth-place finish last season. In the current campaign, she has added another eight goals in 14 league appearances.
Kundananji also showcased her talent at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, scoring in the tournament, and has accumulated 10 goals in 18 international matches for Zambia.
This significant transfer further contributes to the escalating spending in women’s football, with FIFA reporting that transfer fees amounted to $2.1 million in January, reflecting a 165.5% surge compared to January 2023.
This is in contrast to the marginal 0.3% increase in the volume of international transfers compared to the previous year.
Kundananji will now be teammates with Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala and former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie at Bay FC, both of whom inked contracts with the club earlier this month.