Orlando Pride Signs Zambian International Barbra Banda to Four-Year Deal
Orlando Pride Signs Zambian International Barbra Banda to Four-Year Deal
Orlando Pride has made a significant move by signing Zambian international Barbra Banda in a high-profile deal. The forward joins the Pride from Chinese Women’s Super League side Shanghai Shengli FC, with the transfer fee totaling $740,000. Banda’s contract with the Pride spans four years, through the 2027 season, and was facilitated using Allocation Money. The agreement also includes a sell-on clause for any future transfer of Banda.
This signing represents one of the largest investments in a player in National Women’s Soccer League history. Banda’s arrival is pending the receipt of her P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Orlando Pride Owner and Chairman Mark Wilf expressed excitement about the acquisition, emphasizing the team’s goal to become an NWSL Championship contender by investing in top-tier players. Haley Carter, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager, praised Banda’s performance in various competitions and highlighted her as a natural goal scorer and a physically imposing forward.
Banda herself expressed her enthusiasm about joining Orlando Pride and the competitive NWSL. She is eager to meet her new teammates and contribute to the team’s success.
Barbra Banda arrives in Orlando after a standout season with Shanghai Shengli, where she scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 2023. She has also achieved significant success on the international stage, leading Zambia to victory in the COSAFA Women’s Championship and making history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as the first player to score back-to-back hat tricks.
Looking ahead, Banda and the Copper Queens are focused on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with their next challenge being a Fourth Round match against Morocco in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament.
