By 23-year-old Zambian becomes world’s most expensive female footballer
Ghazali Ibrahim
The 23-year-old Rachel Kundananji has become the world’s most expensive female footballer, sealing a remarkable transfer from Madrid CFF to Bay FC in the American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for a bounty sum of $860,000 (£685,000).
Kundananji’s ascent from the sparse pitches of Zambia’s Copperbelt Province to global stardom is nothing short of extraordinary. Her impressive talent caught the eye of Bay FC, who were willing to break the bank to secure her signature, surpassing the previous record set by Keira Walsh’s £400,000 move from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022.
Kundananji’s historic transfer fee not only sets a new benchmark for female footballers but also marks the first time an African player, male or female, has broken a world transfer record.
Her journey to this achievement saw her excel during an 18-month spell in Madrid, where she netted an impressive 33 Liga F goals in 43 games.
Now, she is poised to make her mark in the United States, still coming to terms with the magnitude of her transfer fee but determined to make her homeland proud.
“People in Zambia will be surprised but they will be so happy,” Kundananji expressed to BBC Sport Africa.
“A lot of people have encouraged me to work hard and some even said ‘maybe one day you’ll break some records’. This is the first one and I know there are more coming. I will do my level best and fight every time I play, like I always do.”
However, she is set to join sixth time African women player, Asisat Oshaola who recently moved to Bay FC after her contract at Barcelona Femine expires.
