Orlando Pride have officially signed Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda

 

Barbra Banda Signs Second Largest US Transfer Fee With Orlando Pride

United States National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Orlando Pride have officially signed Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda to a four-year contract with the second largest transfer fee in NWSL history at $740,000.

According to sources, the four-year deal is valued near $2.1 million, which includes bonuses. Forbes reports that the transfer agreement also involves a negotiated sell-on clause for any future transfer of Banda.

Banda joins the Pride for the 2024 NWSL season following several seasons with Chinese Women’s Super League, Shanghai Shengli where she scored 16 goals and recorded five assists last season.

“'I am very excited to join Orlando Pride. It's a great club and I love what they're building. The National Women's Soccer League 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,” Banda said.

“Since my first meeting with the club and the General Manager, I knew this was a club I wanted to join. 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 a lot of trophies together.”

Banda joins fellow compatriot Racheal Kundananji who became the most expensive player in the world when she recently signed for NWSL side Bay FC in a record-breaking deal last month worth $787,600. She will head to the States pending the receipt of her P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

The NWSL season kicks off on Saturday, March 16 with all 14 teams in action to mark the largest season in the league’s existence with numerous growth milestones at play.

“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,” said Orlando Pride Owner and Chairman Mark Wilf.

“We thank Shanghai Shengli FC and their leadership for partnering with us to bring Barbra to Orlando and to the National Women’s Soccer League. Our fans have much to look forward to as we prepare to kick off the regular season!”

The NWSL season kicks off on Saturday, March 16 with all 14 teams in action to mark the largest season in the league’s existence with numerous growth milestones at play.