Women’s football has experienced remarkable growth, breaking attendance records globally and securing increasingly valuable television deals.
This surge in revenue has significantly boosted player valuations. In the winter of 2024, the women’s football transfer record was shattered twice, with the record being broken again shortly after. A U.S. defender now holds the title of the most expensive transfer in women’s football history. Let’s explore the top five highest transfers in the sport’s history.
Football: Keira Walsh: €470k
From a young age, Peter Walsh recognized his daughter Keira’s exceptional talent. Family holidays to Spain, where Keira consistently outperformed her peers during training, were instrumental in honing her skills. A lifelong Manchester City fan, Keira nearly made the move to Barcelona, drawn by the club’s playing style she had admired since childhood. She joined the Catalan giants with ease, unfazed by the world-record €470k transfer fee.
Mayra Ramirez: €500k
At just 16, Mayra Ramirez was already competing at the highest level in Colombia, though she was not initially a standout in a league full of emerging talent. However, the Levante forward finished the 2022-2023 Liga F season as one of only two players to record double figures in both goals and assists. Barcelona’s dominance in the league was evident. Football Following an ACL injury to Sam Kerr, Chelsea quickly arranged Ramirez’s transfer to West London in January 2024, marking one of the priciest transfers in women’s football.
Barbra Banda: €681k
In the spring of 2024, Zambia saw two of the highest-priced transfers in women’s football history. Football Barbra Banda became the third female player to secure a transfer worth over €500k when she joined Orlando Pride, only weeks after her fellow Zambian, Racheal Kundananji, moved to Bay FC.
Racheal Kundananji: €805k
Racheal Kundananji’s football journey began on the streets of Chililabombwe, where she played with a ball made from plastic bags. Focused on her goals, she moved to Europe in 2019 to join Kazakhstan’s BIIK Kazygurt. Three years later, Spanish side Eibar made an offer. Despite receiving an offer five times her current salary to remain in Kazakhstan, she opted for a move to Liga F, seeking a higher level of competition. Her exceptional performances quickly garnered attention from Madrid CFF, one of Spain’s premier clubs, leading to her signing in 2022.
At Madrid CFF, she showcased her skill and versatility, making an immediate impact. After just two seasons, her rise in the sport was undeniable, prompting Bay FC to secure her services with a record-breaking transfer fee. Her journey reflects her commitment to advancing her career and playing at the highest level of women’s football.
Naomi Girma: €1.06m
American defender Naomi Girma made history with her record-breaking €1.06 million transfer to Chelsea, making her the most expensive female footballer ever. This transfer broke the previous records set by Zambian internationals Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda, both of whom made high-profile moves to the NWSL during the winter of 2024. Kundananji had already made a significant mark in European football, moving from Kazakhstan to Spain before catching the attention of Bay FC. Banda, similarly, had risen to prominence with her remarkable performances, eventually securing a lucrative move to Orlando Pride.
Their transfers were among the most expensive in women’s football at the time, setting new benchmarks in the sport’s evolving landscape. However, the recent deal has now surpassed both, marking a new era in women’s football with a record-breaking fee. This shift highlights the growing recognition and value of women’s football players, as the sport continues to gain global prominence and attract attention from major leagues and clubs worldwide.
