Bay FC has transferred forward Racheal Kundananji to Chicago Stars FC for $700,000 in intraleague transfer funds. The move is the first major deal for Chicago since the club hired Vlatko Andonovski as chief soccer officer.
Kundananji joined Bay FC in February 2024 on a transfer from Madrid CFF for a €735,000 fee (about $788,000 at the time), plus $75,000 in potential add-ons. At the time, the fee was a world record in women's soccer. Over nearly three NWSL seasons with Bay FC, she scored 12 goals and added 11 assists in 63 games. She also played for Zambia at the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. Her original Bay FC contract was a four-year deal plus an option year, worth over $2 million cumulatively.
Andonovski praised the signing in a statement. "Racheal is a proven goal scorer and a fierce competitor, and we're thrilled to add a player of her quality to our roster," he said. "We look forward to seeing the impact she will make on our team as we build for 2027 and beyond."
In a separate transaction, the Washington Spirit transferred forward Gift Monday to Boston Legacy FC for $500,000 in intraleague transfer funds. The Spirit will also earn 20% on any future transfer. Monday, a Nigerian international, scored 12 goals in 48 games since joining Washington last year but had a more limited role this season. Both moves were completed before the NWSL's roster freeze at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing