As the women’s game continues to progress, so too does the world transfer record. And this week saw Zambia star Racheal Kundananji become the most expensive women’s transfer in history.
Kundananji, 23, left Spanish side Madrid CFF to sign for nascent National Women’s Soccer League club Bay FC, who are set to make their debut in the North American top tier in the 2024 season.
After scoring 25 league goals in Liga F last season, the striker joined Bay FC in a mammoth transfer worth an initial €735,000 ($787,600) — with another €75,000 ($80,000) in add-ons — a lofty figure that comfortably eclipses the previous world record, which was set just last month when Colombia striker Mayra Ramírez moved from Levante to Chelsea for €450,000 ($500,000).
Kundananji’s move came after a January transfer window that had seen international spending in the women’s game reach an all-time high, according to FIFA, with clubs around the world collectively trading approximately €1.96m ($2.1m) in transfer fees — which roughly equates to a 150% rise from the winter of 2023.
Yes, there is still a long way to go before we get near the men’s record, set by Neymar‘s €222m ($241m) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. But here is an overview of the evolution of the women’s transfer record from the past few decades, and those players responsible for breaking it. ESPN
