United States of American club Orlando Pride has announced the signing of Grace Chanda on a free transfer from Spanish club Madrid CFF, making her the second Zambian to join the club after Barbra Banda, who they acquired in March from China’s Shanghai Shengli for a club record fee of $740,000.
Banda’s move to Orlando made her the world’s second most expensive player after her compatriot Racheal Kundananji joined Bay FC for a world-record fee.
READ MORE: Kundananji joins Bay FC to become the most expensive women’s footballer in history
Orlando announced today that Chanda agreed to a contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026.
The Pride have gone unbeaten in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) this season, winning a record eight of their past eleven games and drawing only three to lead the standings with 27 points. They believe Chanda’s versatility will add value to their squad.
“I’m thrilled. Genuinely. You know, Grace had a breakout year in 2022. And I think she proved to the world what she’s capable of. I think Zambia losing her right at the beginning of the World Cup completely altered Zambia’s plan and strategy for the tournament,” Haley Carter, the club’s vice president of soccer operations and general manager, told BolaNews in an interview.
“And I think when I say it’s unfortunate, I think that’s an understatement because I think watching Zambia, Grace was the glue. I think of that midfield and her ability to find Rachel and Barbara and make those connections. And I think on the field and off the field —she’s just Joy. She loves to play. She’s a team player. She works unbelievably hard, and her teammates respect her. I think losing her right before the World Cup really hurts Zambia.”
‘She is a smiling assassin’ – Carter
Carter said Chanda possesses the qualities of a player that fits their criteria of their recruitment.
“I can’t be more excited about it because I know what she’s capable of. I know what she’s been through over the last eight months. And I think a player like her who has navigated the kind of adversity that she’s navigated and done so, you know, humble and with a smile on her face and she’s put in the work like those are the kinds of athletes we want in our environment. She’s technical, she’s got a significant amount of explosiveness, and she’s versatile.
“You can play her as an attacking midfielder, as an eight; you can play her as a seven; or you can play her as an 11. You can play her as a nine if you want. Then, what she brings to Orlando is truly versatility.
“And you know, if you look at our success this season, it’s because we have athletes that can play in multiple positions, and she’s going to provide additional quality options for us . And she’s just got a great attitude. Yeah. You know, she’s smiling all the time.”
Carter feels Zambia and Africa as a whole have the potential to produce more athletes capable of competing on a global level if given the proper assistance.
“You can’t say enough about the potential for athletes in Zambia and across Africa with the right resources and investment. The sky truly is the limit. You know, I tell people that if I were to win the lottery tomorrow, I would build a youth academy in Africa. Right away. That’s how I spend my money.”
Chanda will join her new teammates after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
