Copper Queens forward Grace Chanda is expected to leave Spanish club Madrid CFF to join an American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, according to Bolanews sources close to the player.
The 26-year-old has only appeared twice for Madrid this season after recovering from an eight-month illness that forced her to miss the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Chanda scored her first goal for club or country since June 2023 in Madrid CFF’s 6-1 Liga F victory over Valencia on May 12, 2024, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute. Her second appearance came on Sunday, against Betis, and she played only nine minutes.
She scored three goals in 11 starts out of 26 games for Madrid CFF before being unwell during her debut season. This came after signing a two-year contract with the club in 2022 from BIIK Kazgurt, which will expire in September.
Chanda determined to play in NWSL
Two weeks ago, BolaNews was credibly informed that the former Zesco Ndola Girls attacker was being pursued by two Spanish clubs and one NWSL team. However, it is now understood that she has agreed to personal terms with an NWSL club, with two others reportedly vying for her signature as the player expressed her desire to leave Spain.
San Diego Wave, Racing Louisville, and Orlando Pride were all mentioned among the NWSL that showed interest in Chanda, with one of them potentially unveiling her when the Liga F season ends.
Chanda will become the third Zambian player to join the NWSL, following Racheal Kundananji, who signed for Bay FC for a world record fee, and Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda.
Meanwhile, the former Red Arrows forward made her last appearance for Zambia in a 2-0 victory over Morocco last month. The win saw the Copper Queens seal qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics following a 2-3 aggregate scoreline.
Chanda, who finished second in the 2022 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year Award, behind Bay FC and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, is anticipated to make Bruce Mwape’s final Olympic squad.
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