Bay sign Kundananji from Madrid for a world record fee

Bay FC have signed Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji from Spain's Madrid CFF, the clubs announced on Tuesday, with the American club paying up to $860,000 to set a new world record in women's football.

The 23-year-old, who joined Madrid from fellow Spanish top-tier club Eibar in 2022, has signed a contract that runs through the 2027 season with an option to extend until 2028, according to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

According to local media, the San Francisco Bay Area's new NWSL franchise paid $785,000 for Kundananji, with a possible $75,000 in add-ons, making her the most expensive female soccer player in history.

The deal breaks Chelsea's previous transfer record of 500,000 euros ($535,400.00) for Colombia forward Mayra Ramirez from Levante in January.

Kundananji, who represented Zambia at the 2023 Women's World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, scored 25 goals in her debut season in Madrid in 2022-23.

Bay will face Angel City on March 16 in their first game as an expansion team in the 2024 season.

SportsLigue