Once unthinkable, million plus transfer fees in women’s football are now a reality. The era of marquee signings is upon us – and the numbers are only getting bigger.
From the Women’s Super League to the NWSL, global clubs are spending serious money on talent, and it’s transforming the sport in real time.
Here are the 10 biggest women’s football transfers in history.
10. Kika Nazareth – €400K (£340k)
Benfica → Barcelona (2024)
Portugal’s brightest young star forward, Kika Nazareth, joined Barcelona for €400K aged just 21 – setting a record for a Portuguese women’s player. Creative, technical, and bold, she fits Barça’s DNA perfectly and represents the club’s investment in the next generation.
Season stats (league): 19A 3G
10. Ewa Pajor – €400K (£340k)
Wolfsburg → Barcelona (2024)
One of Europe’s most lethal strikers, Pajor’s switch to Barça was their second major signing of the summer – and a power move. After and astonishing 14 major titles at Wolfsburg, her arrival strengthened the Catalan club’s grip on European dominance.
Season stats (league): 21A 17G
9. Lena Oberdorf – €450K (£384k)
Wolfsburg → Bayern Munich (2024)
A Bundesliga bombshell. Bayern Munich activated Oberdorf’s release clause and paid the highest fee in German women’s football history. One of the world’s best holding midfielders, Oberdorf’s move kept her in the league – and raised the bar for domestic rivalries.
Season stats (league): injured
8. Keira Walsh – £400K
Manchester City → Barcelona (2022)
The £400,000 fee was the highest ever paid in women’s football at the time, and secured Barca one of England’s most technically gifted midfielders. Walsh went on to win 8 major titles for the Catalan giants, include 2 champions leagues.
Season stats (league): N/A
7. Mayra Ramírez – £426K
Levante → Chelsea (2024)
Signed mid-season to replace the injured Sam Kerr, Colombian forward Mayra Ramírez joined Chelsea in a deal worth nearly half a million. It was a statement of depth, adaptability, and WSL muscle in the transfer market.
Season stats (league): 17A 4G
6. Priscila – R$ 2.6m (£450k)
SC Internacional → Club América (2024)
The highest-ever transfer in Brazilian women’s football history, 20-year-old Priscila became the face of Club América’s ambitions. Her move also underlined Liga MX Femenil’s rise – and South America’s growing role in the women’s football economy.
Season stats (league): 19A 12G
5. Keira Walsh – £440K
Barcelona → Chelsea (2025)
Two years after setting the record with her move to Barcelona, Walsh returned to the WSL in a big-money move to Chelsea. A midfield maestro, her transfer showed clubs will now pay top dollar to bring elite talent home – and fans couldn’t be happier.
Season stats (league): 6A 0G
4. Barbra Banda – $740K (£582k)
Shanghai Shengli → Orlando Pride (2024)
The NWSL boom continued as Orlando Pride brought in Zambia forward Barbra Banda from China. A proven force on the global stage, Banda’s move was the second-largest fee ever at the time – and a reminder that women’s football talent is truly global.
Season stats (league): 4A 3G
3. Tarciane – $830K (£650k)
Houston Dash → Lyon (2025)
When French giants Lyon missed out on Girma, they turned to Brazil’s next big thing. Tarciane, a 21-year-old centre-back, joined from Houston Dash for around $830K, cementing her status as a generational defensive talent – and making Lyon’s intentions clear: back to the top, no matter the cost.
Season stats (league): 6A 0G
2. Racheal Kundananji – $860K (£685k)
Madrid CFF → Bay FC (2024)
NWSL newcomers Bay FC made waves with their world-record signing of Zambian striker Racheal Kundananji. Her lightning pace and proven goal-scoring in Spain made her the perfect statement signing. At the time, it was the highest fee ever for a woman footballer.
Season stats (league): 7A 1G
1. Naomi Girma – $1.1M (£880k)
San Diego Wave → Chelsea (2025)
The first woman to break the $1 million barrier. At just 24, USWNT star Naomi Girma made history with her move to Chelsea. A defensive rock and future captain material, this transfer signalled a new ceiling for player value – and Chelsea’s hunger for continental dominance. Never got going this season due to injuries, but certain to have an impact next.
Season stats (league): 4A 0G
What it means for the game
In just a few seasons, women’s football transfers have surged from $400K to $1m+.
This isn’t just hype – it’s a redefinition of player value, global ambition, and financial belief in the women’s game.
From Zambia to Barcelona, the talent pipeline is now truly international – and so is the money. As more leagues grow in prestige – and budgets – will we see the first $10m player before the decades out? We certainly think so.
