Bay FC signs Kundananji from Madrid CFF for a world record fee

National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Bay FC have signed Zambia striker Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF for a world record fee.

A source with knowledge of negotiation, who would anonymity granted to protect relationships, confirmed The Athletics that the compensation is for the 23 year old €735,000 ($785,000).

She has signed a contract until 2027 with the option for another year.

Bay FC Managing Director Lucy Rushton said: “We are delighted to add Racheal to our group. She is a huge talent with dynamic attacking qualities and an incredible physical profile, which she has produced for both club and country.

“Racheal has a composure in front of goal and a natural ability to score with different types of finishes and from different locations. We believe she will continue to grow and develop at our club, showcasing her skills and adding to the range of exciting attacking talent we have here.”

Bay FC is a newly formed team in the NWSL, which will begin its inaugural season in 2024.

Kundananji, meanwhile, has scored 33 goals in 43 Liga F games for Madrid.

At an international level Kundananji showed her talent by both playing and scoring at the 2023 Women's World Cup. She also boasts an impressive record of 10 goals in 18 matches for Zambia.

She becomes the first African player to break a world transfer record.

Chelsea broke the women's transfer record last month after signing Colombian international striker Mayra Ramirez from Levante. The Spanish side said the deal is for a fixed value of €450,000, plus a further €50,000 in variable amounts based on targets the club expects to achieve. One of them requires Ramirez to play 30 percent of the games. matches.

English midfielder Keira Walsh previously broke the women's transfer record in 2022 after her move from Manchester City to Barcelona.

Kundananji joined Madrid from Eibar in August 2022, having previously worked at the club Kazakhstan club BIIK Shymkent and Zambian side Indeni Roses.

A record $2.1 million was spent on the women's game in January. This was the second record-breaking transfer window in a row, following the $3 million spent last summer.

In February, Bay FC also completed the signings of Arsenal defender Jen Beattie and Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona.

(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)