Barbra Banda: Orlando Pride sign Zambia forward for second-highest women’s transfer fee

Zambia forward Barbra Banda has signed for Orlando Pride in the second-most expensive women’s transfer in history.

Bay FC paid a world-record $860,000 (£685,000) for Zambia team-mate Racheal Kundananji last month.

Banda joins Pride on a four-year deal and will become one of the highest-paid players in the United States’ NWSL.

Pride also negotiated a sell-on clause for any future transfer of Banda, who scored 41 goals in 52 appearances for Shanghai Shengli.

“I am very excited to join Orlando Pride. It’s a great club and I love what they’re building,” said Banda.

“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.

“I can’t wait to meet my new team-mates and start working with them. I hope to help the team to do great things and win a lot of trophies together.”

The forward became the first female player to score successive hat-tricks at the Olympic Games against the Netherlands and China in 2021.

Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf said: “It has always been our vision to build Orlando Pride into an NWSL Championship contender and we believe investment in the world’s best players is a prerequisite for success.

“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.”