The landscape of women’s football transfers has evolved rapidly, with increased investment and attention on the women’s game.
Zambian international football player Rachel Kundananji made football history by becoming the most expensive women’s footballer ever after sealing a move from Spanish club Madrid CFF to USA club Bay FC.
Kundananji also becomes the first African, male, or female, to break the world transfer record and moves to the US after a prolific spell in Spain.
The forward, who scored 33 goals in 43 Liga F games for Madrid, has agreed a four-year deal with the American club, with the option of a further year.
Following the record-breaking move, we’ve ranked the five most expensive transfers in women’s football history.
1. Rachel Kundananji -Madrid CFF to Bay Fc (Ksh, 123, 840,000)
Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji became the most expensive women’s footballer in history on 13th February after joining Bay FC from Madrid CFF for $860,000 (Ksh. 123.8 million).
Following the deal, Kundananji becomes the first African player, male or female, to command a world-record transfer fee, underscoring the growing prominence of African talent on the global football stage.
Furthermore, in her first season under Madrid CFF’s colors, the 23-year-old Zambian star netted 25 times in 29 Liga F outings.
Alongside winning three domestic league titles with Michelle Alozie’s former team, BIIK Kazygurt (2019, 2020, 2021), the Copper Queen had a taste of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, scoring 4 goals in 11 appearances with Kazygurt.
In 43 Liga F games, Kundananji, a powerful and unflagging forward, scored a staggering 33.
The 23-year-old striker, renowned for her goal-scoring prowess, scored an impressive 33 goals in 43 Liga F games for Madrid.
Her exceptional talent has also earned her a four-year deal with Bay FC, with the option of an additional year.
2. Mayra Ramirez -Levante to Chelsea (Ksh. 77,040,000)
Mayra Ramirez became the world’s most expensive women’s footballer in January 2024, after completing a move from Levante to Chelsea.
However, after two seasons with Sporting de Huelva, Ramirez made the switch to Levante in the summer of 2022.
She has showcased her attacking prowess by scoring 32 goals in 95 games in La Liga over the past four years.
Mahrez earned a $ 535,000(77.04 million) move to the Women’s Super League champions.
Ramirez opened her goalscoring account for the club in style with a clever flicked finish in the FA Cup win over Crystal Palace.
The Colombian put in some sensational performances during the World Cup, also producing 25 goal contributions in 27 matches for Levante in the league last term.
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3. Kiera Walsh -Manchester City to Barcelona (Ksh. 72,288,000)
After an eight-year stint with Man City, Keira Walsh swapped the comfort of England for the unknown of Spain in 2022.
The Lioness made the then record$ 502,000 (72, 2 million) switches to Barcelona and has already won four trophies with the Liga F side, including the Champions League.
Kiera Walsh became the most expensive women’s footballer of all time after leaving Manchester City to sign for Barcelona.
The 25-year-old had been one of the stars of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 success on home soil, earning inclusion in the Team of the Tournament.
Walsh’s first season in Barcelona also ended in silverware success, ns the Catalans won a Liga F, Supercopa de España Femenina and UEFA Women’s Champions League treble.
4. Jill Roord – Wolfsburg to Manchester City (Ksh. 54,288,000)
Jill Roord signed for Manchester City two years after leaving Arsenal to join Wolfsbur. Gareth Taylor’s side are understood to have broken the British transfer record to sign the 26-year-old midfielder, paying a fee in excess of $ 377,000 (54.2 million) in 2023.
The 26-year-old, who previously spent two seasons at Arsenal, had scored 31 goals in 69 appearances for Wolfsburg before her club-record return to England.
The midfielder – who has 96 caps for the Netherlands national team – made an impressive start with The Citizens, scoring six times in 11 WSL appearances, before sustaining an ACL injury that curtailed her campaign in January 2024.
Jill Roord years spent by Man City has proved a bargain having netted ten goals in 16 appearances in all competitions.
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5. Lindsey Horan -Portland Thorns to Lyon (46,656,000)
The most expensive United States international of all time, Lindsey Horan made the move to Lyon from Portland Thorns for $ 324,000 (46.6 million) in 2023.
Lyon spent big to bring Lindsey Horan back to French football in 2023, after an impressive loan spell at the club.
Horan had scored 46 goals in 58 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain before returning to the USA, where she was named as the NWSL Most Valuable Player at Portland Thorns in 2018.
The versatile attacker, who won the Women’s World Cup with the USA in 2019, has won two the Division 1 Féminine, two Coupe de France Feminine, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League since joining Lyon.
The 29-year-old then joined Lyon permanently for the following season and scored eight goals in 26 games during her first full campaign.
