Zambian Striker Barbra Banda Makes Record-Breaking Move to Orlando Pride in Historic Transfer Deal

Zambian striker Barbra Banda has been picked up by US-based team football Orlando Pride in what is now the second most expensive transfer for a female player in history. The 23-year-old has transferred on a four-year deal from the Chinese Shanghai Shengli club to the Florida club for $740,000. She will be one of the highest-paid players in the Unites States National Women’s Soccer League.

Last month, fellow Zambian Racheal Jundananji made history with the highest transfer fee for a woman after California-based club Bay FC paid $860,000 for the player.

In 2021, Banda became the first female player to achieve back-to-back hat-tricks at the Olympic Games, scoring goals against the Netherlands and China.

"The NWSL is one of the most competitive and strongest leagues in the world so it's very humbling to get a chance to play in it,” said Banda.

Mark Wilf, the chairman and owner of Orlando Pride, said: “Barbra Banda brings a new level of technical skill, physicality and pace to our attack and she is an exciting and entertaining addition to our roster. Our fans have much to look forward to as we prepare to kick-off the regular season.”