Rachael Kundananji has moved from Bay FC to Chicago Stars FC for $700,000. It is the first transfer for Chicago since Vlatko Andonovski became the chief soccer officer.
Kundananji moved to Chicago in 2024 from Madrid CFF for a world-record transfer fee of €735,000 (about $788,000 at the time) with $75,000 in potential add-ons, per ESPN.
A new Star has arrived 🤩
Chicago Stars FC has acquired Zambia national team forward Racheal Kundananji from Bay FC, bringing one of the most dynamic attacking players in the NWSL and internationally to Chicago.
Welcome, Racheal! 🇿🇲📰 https://t.co/ZJ9dig888T https://t.co/kpm0lkDeeU
— Chicago Stars FC (@theChicagoStars) October 8, 2026
“Racheal is a proven goal scorer and a fierce competitor, and we’re thrilled to add a player of her quality to our roster,” Andonovski said in a statement announcing the signing on Thursday.
“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.”
We’re excited too 🙌
A message from Racheal! https://t.co/yFg6fs10mu
— Chicago Stars FC (@theChicagoStars) October 8, 2026
In nearly three NWSL seasons with Bay FC, Kundananji netted 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 more than $2 million in total.
Nigeria’s Gift Monday Joins Boston Legacy
In another transfer move, Nigeria International Gift Monday has joined Boston Legacy FC for $500,000 in intraleague transfer funds. The forward moved from Washington Spirit where she scored 12 goals in 48 games.
“Gift brings a unique set of qualities as a forward that will add another dimension to our attack,” Boston General Manager Domè Guasch disclosed. “She will contribute to our high press, create opportunities and be dangerous in the final third. She’s also a team player, and that matters to us as much as her quality on the pitch.”
