The NWSL continues to add international stars, with Zambian star striker Barbra Banda set to join the Orlando Pride.
The news was first reported by CBS Sports’ Sandra Herrera on Tuesday.
Banda would join the NWSL from Chinese club Shanghai Shengli, and will draw a near-record transfer fee of $740,000, according to ESPN.
The fee is the second-highest in world soccer history behind Zambian teammate Racheal Kundananji, who joined Bay FC last month and set the global record.
Orlando, who is looking to make the NWSL postseason for the first time since 2017, has reportedly signed Banda to a four-year deal valued at roughly $2.1 million, including bonuses. That number makes the forward one of the highest-paid players in the NWSL.
The Pride were reportedly in talks with Crystal Dunn earlier in the offseason before she signed with Gotham FC, and sent Messiah Bright – who had a standout rookie season last year – to Angel City. But they’ve picked up a number of Brazilian international standouts and signed forward Simone Charley in the offseason.
The addition of Banda further bolsters the Pride’s front line attack.
A breakout Tokyo Olympics saw Banda become the first woman in Olympic history to have back-to-back hat tricks and score two hat tricks…
