Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji has joined Chicago Stars FC from Bay FC in a deal worth $700,000 (£approximately 520,000), with the move confirmed to run through the 2027 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
The 24-year-old becomes the first signing under Chicago’s new Chief Soccer Officer, Vlatko Andonovski, as the club begins preparations for the 2027 campaign and beyond.
Kundananji will occupy an international roster spot at Chicago, having spent three seasons with Bay FC since joining the American club in 2024.
Andonovski welcomed the acquisition, describing the Zambia international as a proven goalscorer and a fierce competitor.
“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.
“Her accomplishments at the league and international levels are a testament to her standards and work ethic, and we look forward to seeing the impact she will make on our team as we build for 2027 and beyond.”
Kundananji expressed her excitement at joining the Chicago outfit, pledging to give her all for the club.
“Joining a historic club like the Chicago Stars is an incredible honour. I can’t wait to step onto the pitch and work hard to help the team,” she said.
“I’m super excited and looking forward to meeting our amazing fans, and to give everything I have for this badge.”
Proven goalscorer in the United States and Europe
Kundananji leaves Bay FC as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, having registered 12 goals and 11 assists in 63 regular-season appearances.
She started 54 of those matches, accumulating 4,902 minutes on the pitch, and played a key role in helping Bay FC reach the NWSL play-offs during its inaugural season.
The forward scored her first NWSL goal on her debut against Houston Dash on 30 March 2024.
Before moving to the United States, Kundananji enjoyed an impressive spell with Spanish side Madrid CFF between 2022 and 2024.
She finished second in the league’s scoring charts with 25 goals in 29 appearances during her first season, including braces against Real Sociedad and Barcelona and a hat-trick against Alhama CF.
In the 2023-24 campaign, she recorded eight goals and two assists in 14 appearances, making 11 starts.
International pedigree with Zambia
Kundananji has established herself as one of Zambia’s leading attacking players since making her senior international debut in 2018.
She featured in all three of Zambia’s matches at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scoring in the Copper Queens’ historic 3-1 victory over Costa Rica — the country’s first win at the tournament.
She also played a key role in Zambia’s qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring twice against Australia during the group stage.
In 2025, Kundananji scored nine goals for Zambia after receiving five national team call-ups, helping the Copper Queens reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
She continued her impressive form in 2026, helping Zambia win the Four Nations Tournament with a goal and an assist in the decisive match against Malawi.
Kundananji also scored against Egypt in Zambia’s opening match of the 2026 WAFCON tournament.
The forward is currently with the Copper Queens as they face Uganda in their qualifying campaign for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
She is expected to join Chicago Stars ahead of their penultimate home match of the season against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, 18 October.
