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The Most Expensive Transfers in Women's Football History

The world of women's football saw a surge in transfer fees in 2025, with clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Orlando Pride, and the London City Lionesses all breaking transfer records within the year. This trend reflects the growing investment and interest in the women's game globally.

Back in 2020, Chelsea set a benchmark by signing Pernille Harder for what was then the highest fee in women's football. Since that time, her transfer has dropped off the top 40 most expensive deals. In 2022, Keira Walsh overtook that record moving from Manchester City to Barcelona, but even that deal is no longer in the top 20, especially after her 2025 return to England with Chelsea at an even higher price.

Top Recent Transfers Breaking the Record

  • Racheal Kundananji (Madrid CFF to Bay FC): Bay FC stunned the scene paying $862,000 (£685,000) for Kundananji, just before teammate Barbra Banda's high-profile move to Orlando Pride. Kundananji scored 33 goals in 43 league matches before heading to California.
  • Keira Walsh (Barcelona to Chelsea): Chelsea secured Walsh in January 2025 for a fee rising to €850,000 (£714,000/$884,000) with bonuses, marking one of the highest fees for a holding midfielder globally.
  • Claudia Martinez (Club Olimpia to Washington Spirit): After a standout Copa America performance scoring six goals in five games, the young Paraguayan forward signed for $950,000, shortly after turning 18.
  • Tarciane (Houston Dash to Lyon): Lyon paid around $960,000 (£762,000) in February 2025, setting a French women's league record for the 21-year-old defender.
  • Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit to Kansas City Current): The 24-year-old midfielder moved for $1 million (£732,000) in February 2025, after earning NWSL Rookie and Midfielder of the Year honors in 2024.
  • Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current to Bay FC): Just minutes before Bethune's trade, Hutton joined Bay FC for $1.1 million (£805,000), having been key in winning the NWSL Shield.
  • Melvine Malard (Man Utd to Chelsea): Reports estimate her July 2026 transfer at about £850,000 ($1.14 million), marking a record sale for Manchester United and Chelsea's third million-dollar signing.
  • Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave to Chelsea): In January 2025, Chelsea paid £883,000 ($1.1 million) for Girma, making her the first woman to break the million-dollar mark in transfers. She's renowned as one of the top centre-backs worldwide, helped by her Olympic gold success in 2024.
  • Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage to Gotham): Gotham set a league record paying $1.25 million (£909,000) mid-2025 for Shaw, who had made history as the youngest scorer on debut in the NWSL.
  • Olivia Smith (Liverpool to Arsenal): Arsenal made Smith the first million-pound player in July 2025 after witnessing her impact against them earlier that year.
  • Lizbeth Ovalle (Tigres to Orlando Pride): Ovalle's move to the reigning NWSL champions in August 2025 cost $1.5 million (£1.1 million), briefly setting a new record and attracting interest from Europe's elite clubs.
  • Alyssa Thompson (Angel City to Chelsea): The exact fee was debated, but FIFA’s 2025 report ranked Thompson's transfer above Ovalle's, possibly reaching $2 million (£1.5 million), making it one of the highest ever.
  • Kerolin (Man City to Barcelona): Her £1.25 million ($1.68 million) transfer in early 2026 is the third largest in women's football, following her brief stint in the NWSL.
  • Felicia Schroder (Hacken to Real Madrid): Completed in summer 2026, this move was widely called a world record, though exact figures were not publicized. Estimates suggest fees around €1.35m (£1.16m/$1.56m).
  • Grace Geyoro (PSG to London City Lionesses): On WSL deadline day 2025, London City Lionesses paid €1.65m (£1.43m/$1.93m) for PSG captain Geyoro, a fee confirmed by FIFA as the biggest international transfer in women's football for that year.

Summary of the Top 15 Most Expensive Women's Football Transfers

  • 1. Grace Geyoro: PSG to London City Lionesses, €1.65m (£1.43m/$1.93m)
  • 2. Felicia Schroder: Hacken to Real Madrid, approx. €1.35m (£1.16m/$1.56m)
  • 3. Kerolin: Man City to Barcelona, £1.25m ($1.68m)
  • 4. Alyssa Thompson: Angel City to Chelsea, up to $2m (£1.5m) reported
  • 5. Lizbeth Ovalle: Tigres to Orlando Pride, $1.5m (£1.1m)
  • 6. Olivia Smith: Liverpool to Arsenal, £1m+
  • 7. Jaedyn Shaw: North Carolina Courage to Gotham, $1.25m (£909k)
  • 8. Naomi Girma: San Diego Wave to Chelsea, £883k ($1.1m)
  • 9. Melvine Malard: Man Utd to Chelsea, ~£850k ($1.14m)
  • 10. Claire Hutton: Kansas City Current to Bay FC, $1.1m (£805k)
  • 11. Croix Bethune: Washington Spirit to Kansas City Current, $1m (£732k)
  • 12. Tarciane: Houston Dash to Lyon, ~$960k (£762k)
  • 13. Claudia Martinez: Club Olimpia to Washington Spirit, $950k
  • 14. Keira Walsh: Barcelona to Chelsea, €850k (£714k/$884k)
  • 15. Racheal Kundananji: Madrid CFF to Bay FC, $862k (£685k)

The rise in these transfer fees shows how the women's game is attracting more investment and attention, with clubs willing to pay increasingly large sums for top talent worldwide.

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