Racheal Kundananji: Zambia forward’s path to breaking the women’s transfer record

Kundananji’s success has required a few career steps.

The first significant one was in 2019 with a transfer from Zambia’s Indeni Roses to BIIK Kazygurt, the biggest women’s club in Kazakhstan.

It was a dramatic shift for the then 18-year-old, who was delighted to be earning a guaranteed $1,500 per month – with free accommodation included.

She secured a move to Liga F side Eibar in 2021 before her abilities were spotted by Madrid CFF, and it is in the Spanish capital that Kundananji has really flourished.

Fellow Zambia forward Prisca Chilufya is confident her team-mate can handle the pressure that will inevitably accompany her record price tag.

“She’s very determined and very hard-working. That’s why she has been dominating in every league she has played in,” Chilufya told BBC Sport Africa.

“She is someone you want on your team because she has a good heart and she also makes life easy on the pitch.”

Chilufya is hopeful that Kundananji’s high-profile move to the USA will help to further the growth of women’s football in their homeland.

“I think this news will be shocking to many because Zambia has never had any expensive players and women’s football is still developing in the country,” Chilufya said.

“It’s amazing to know that Zambia has the most expensive player in the world. Players like Racheal have played a big role in inspiring people.”

Although Kundananji has made history with her move, Atkins is expecting the world transfer record to tumble regularly in the coming years.

“We’ve taken a big leap up now in the record, but that could easily be broken in the next six to 12 months,” Atkins said.

“The NWSL is now reacting after perhaps realising it had slipped down the pecking order in terms of women’s leagues.”

It is a huge move for Kundananji, who is swapping the 3,500-seater Estadio Fernando Torres in Madrid for the 18,000-capacity PayPal Park in San Jose.

She admitted she will miss life in Spain but is relishing the prospect of proving herself in the NWSL.

“My team-mates in Madrid have been my family and it was so difficult for me to make this decision,” Kundananji said.

“I won’t put myself under pressure. My goal is to continue where I ended in Madrid and to achieve bigger things.

“I’ll never give up because if I give up, I’ll disappoint the young girls who message me asking advice about how they can get the best out of themselves.”