Chicago Stars FC today acquired Zambia national team forward Racheal Kundananji from Bay FC through the 2027 NWSL season. Kundananji will occupy an international roster spot and joins Chicago in exchange for $700,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Kundananji is the first addition to the roster under new Chief Soccer Officer Vlatko Andonovski.
“Racheal is a proven goal scorer and a fierce competitor, and we’re thrilled to add a player of her quality to our roster,” said Chicago Stars Chief Soccer Officer Vlatko Andonovski. “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.”
“Joining a historic club like the Chicago Stars is an incredible honor,” said Kundananji. “I can’t wait to step onto the pitch and work hard to help the team. I’m super excited and looking forward to meeting our amazing fans, and to give everything I have for this badge.”
Kundananji joins the Stars after playing three seasons with Bay FC, where she helped the club make the NWSL playoffs during its inaugural season. During her time with Bay FC, Kundananji started in 54 of 63 regular-season appearances for 4,902 minutes. She is Bay FC’s all-time scoring leader with 12 goals and 11 assists. Kundananji scored her first goal in her NWSL debut against Houston Dash on March 30, 2024.
Prior to joining Bay FC at the beginning of the 2024 season, Kundananji played with Madrid Club de Fútbol Femenino from 2022 to 2024. In her first season with Madrid CFF, she appeared in 29 matches and finished second in the league with 25 goals, including a brace against Real Sociedad and Barcelona and a hat trick against Alhama CF. During the 2023-24 season, Kundananji made 11 starts in 14 appearances and recorded eight goals and two assists.
Internationally, Kundananji made her senior international debut with Zambia in 2018 and has since become one of Zambia’s leading goal scorers. At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Zambia made its tournament debut and was led by Kundananji with starts in all three matches and a goal in the nation’s first Women’s World Cup win as they defeated Costa Rica 3-1.
After helping Zambia qualify for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Kundananji scored twice against Australia during the group stage of the competition. In 2025, Kundananji earned five call-ups to the national team and scored nine goals to help lead Zambia reach the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
In 2026, Kundananji led Zambia to win the Four Nations tournament with a goal and an assist in the game-winning match against Malawi. Kundananji also scored one goal against Egypt in the opening match of the 2026 WAFCON tournament.
Kundananji is currently with Zambia as they take on Uganda in a qualifying match for the 2028 Summer Olympics. She will then join Chicago for its penultimate home match of the season against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, October 18, at 6 p.m. CT.
