Zambian Racheal Kundananji will join the ranks of Bay FC, who are debuting in the NWSL this season. The American club paid 860,000 dollars for the 23-year-old Zambian forward.
Bay FC, the newest newcomer to the American women’s soccer league, has opened the game with a bang.
A couple of weeks ago, the American club, which is debuting in the NWSL this season, attracted a Nigerian star Asisat Oshoalan with a two-year contract that includes an option for a third season. The attacker arrived from Barcelona for a transfer fee that was not disclosed to the public.
Now Bay has acquired a Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji with a record amount. According to media reports, Bay paid From municipal taxes up to 860,000 dollars, or about 803,500 euros.
The amount is known to be the largest that has ever been paid for a player in women’s football. This is the first time an African player has broken the international transfer fee record.
At the same time, Kundananji becomes one of the best-paid players in the series: According to The Equalizer, the Zambian’s salary will increase to two million dollars.
– People in Zambia will be surprised, but they will be happy. I want to give Bay FC fans what they want: to enjoy the matches and my goals, Kundananji commented to the BBC.
The previous women’s transfer record was just a few weeks ago. The London giant Chelsea was said to have snapped up the Colombian striker About Mayra Ramirez Levante initially £384,000. However, with possible extras, the transfer amount has reportedly risen to 426,000 pounds, or almost 500,000 euros.
Kundananji scored 25 goals for his club team Madrid CFF last year. He was Levante’s second best scorer in the Spanish premier league Alba Redondo after.
In the summer, Kundananji was at the World Cup with Zambia and managed to score against Costa Rica.
Before Madrid, Kundananji represented Eibar and Kazakh BIIK Kazygurt.
Kundananji’s contract is valid until 2027 and includes an option for one more year.
Bay FC, which operates in the San Fransisco area in the state of California, was founded in the spring of 2023.
Its co-owners are a number of legends of the USA women’s national team: Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner.