41-goal Zambian woman becomes second most expensive player in the world on IWD

Zambian striker Barbra Banda has completed a historic move to the National Women's Soccer League after joining Orlando Pride in a record $740,000 deal from Shanghai Shengli.

Pulse Sports reports that Banda's lucrative switch makes her the second most expensive player in women's football history, following her international teammate Racheal Kundananji's $787,600 transfer to Bay FC in February.

According to a report from the Guardian, the 23-year-old target woman heads to the NWSL as one of the hottest properties in the game on the back of her jaw-dropping exploits at the Tokyo Olympics.

Her free-scoring form in Japan capped an incredible rise as she went on to score an astonishing 41 goals in just 51 games for Shanghai having joined from Spanish club EDF Logroño in 2020.

Banda was crowned the Chinese Super League's Golden Boot winner in her debut campaign and her sustained brilliance has now earned a dream move to the NWSL.

After putting pen to paper on a four-year deal with the US side, Banda spoke of her "humbling" pride at joining one of the world's top leagues.

"It's one of the most competitive and strongest leagues so it's humbling to get this chance," she said per the report. "Since my first meeting with the club, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

"I can't wait to meet my new teammates and start working with them. I hope to help the team in my small capacity to do great things and win trophies together."

With Banda spearheading their attack, OL Reign will have every reason to believe they can challenge for NWSL supremacy this season and end their wait for a first league title.