The world of women's football continues to reach new heights, as transfer records are constantly being shattered. This week, Zambian star Racheal Kundananji made history by becoming the most expensive women's player ever.
At the age of 23, Kundananji left Spanish side Madrid CFF to join the newly formed National Women's Soccer League club, Bay FC. Set to make their debut in the North American top tier in the 2024 season, Bay FC secured Kundananji's services in a groundbreaking transfer worth an initial €735,000 ($786,000), with an additional €75,000 ($80,000) in potential add-ons. This significant figure comfortably surpasses the previous world record set just last month when Mayra Ramírez moved from Levante to Chelsea for €450,000 ($500,000).
Kundananji's remarkable transfer comes after a January transfer window that witnessed a surge in international spending in women's football, with FIFA reporting a collective trading of around €1.96m ($2.1m) in transfer fees. This represents a 150% increase compared to the previous winter transfer window in 2023.
Though the women's transfer records still have a long way to catch up to the astronomical figures seen in men's football, like Neymar's €222m ($241m) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, it is important to recognize the advancements made in recent decades.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and explore the evolution of the women's transfer record:
- Mika (2002): Also known as Milene, the Brazil international became the first women's player to command a fee above €200,000 when she left Italian club Fiammamonza to sign for Rayo Vallecano in 2002. Unfortunately, due to a Spanish FA rule, Milene was unable to play for Rayo and instead returned to Italy.
- Pernille Harder (2020): The Danish international made waves when she left VfB Wolfsburg in Germany to join English giants Chelsea on a three-year contract. Harder enjoyed tremendous success with Chelsea, winning three WSL/FA Cup doubles in consecutive seasons before moving to Bayern Munich in 2023.
- Lucy Bronze (2022): This talented England midfielder shattered the world transfer record when she made a move from Manchester City to join Barcelona. As Barcelona had previously won the European treble, Bronze's transfer was an exciting addition for the club. She also played a pivotal role in England's triumph at the 2022 European Championships.
- Mayra Ramírez (2024): In the January 2024 transfer window, Chelsea secured the services of Colombian striker Mayra Ramírez from Levante. The 24-year-old had already showcased her skills in Liga F, scoring six goals in seven games. Chelsea broke the transfer record by paying an initial fee of €450,000 with the potential for further add-ons.
And now, Racheal Kundananji has claimed the crown as the most expensive women's player in history. After an impressive season in Spain's Liga F, where she scored 25 league goals, Kundananji sealed a move to Bay FC. The four-year contract and the base fee of €735,000 (plus an additional €75,000 in add-ons) have shattered the previous record by a significant margin. Notably, Kundananji is the first African player, male or female, to break a world transfer record.
As women's football continues to ascend, these record-breaking transfers showcase the growing investment and recognition of female players' talents. It is an exciting time for the sport, as women's football gains more prominence globally. The future holds even more potential for groundbreaking transfers, as clubs and fans eagerly anticipate the continued growth and success of the women's game.
