Chelsea FC recently acquired Mayra Ramirez from Levante, making her the most expensive female soccer player at the time with a reported transfer fee of up to 500,000 euros. However, the rapidly accelerating growth of women's soccer has led to an increase in the value of players.
On February 13, 2024, Bay FC, a newly established NWSL team, announced the signing of Racheal Kundananji for a fee of $787,800 (735,000 euros) plus possible add-ons of $75,000. This made Kundananji the highest-priced female soccer player.
The 23-year-old Zambian international joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF, where she had an exceptional season, scoring 25 goals in just 29 league games. Her impressive performance gained her widespread attention and established her as one of the most promising prospects in the game.
Kundananji's journey to the world stage of women's soccer was not an overnight success. She first caught the eye of Kazakhstani club BIIK Kazygurt during a national team camp, which led to her move to Europe. She achieved success with BIIK Kazygurt, winning three domestic league titles and scoring four goals in 11 appearances in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Her performances gained the attention of Spanish side Eibar, who signed her to play in one of Europe's top leagues. After a challenging season with Eibar, Kundananji joined Madrid CFF in the summer of 2022. In her first season with Madrid CFF, she scored an impressive 25 goals in 29 Liga F outings, earning her the Golden Boot runner-up position.
In addition to her club success, Kundananji has made her mark on the international stage. She made her first appearance for the Zambian national team in 2017 and has since represented The Copper Queens on 19 occasions, scoring 10 goals. Her World Cup debut came on July 22, 2023, when she started for Zambia against Japan. Kundananji ended Zambia's inaugural World Cup campaign with a goal in their victory over Costa Rica.
With her rising stardom, lucrative offers were anticipated for Kundananji. Madrid CFF reportedly rejected a 400,000 euro offer from an NWSL team in January 2024, showcasing her value in the market. Tied to Madrid CFF until 2026 with a release clause of 700,000 euros, securing Kundananji's move to the United States required a substantial financial commitment.
Bay FC, led by General Manager Lucy Rushton, successfully secured Kundananji's signing and expressed their joy in adding her to their team. They highlighted her dynamic attacking qualities, incredible physical profile, and impressive goal-scoring abilities. Bay FC believes Kundananji will continue to grow and develop at their club as they aim to showcase her skillset alongside their talented attacking lineup.
As Bay FC's identity takes shape, there is anticipation surrounding their performance this season. With the addition of Racheal Kundananji, they possess a player who has proven herself on both the club and international stage. The question now is whether Bay FC has what it takes to secure a playoff spot and contend for the NWSL championship.
One thing is certain; Bay FC can rely on the skills and abilities of Racheal Kundananji as they seek success in the coming season.
