The women’s transfer window closed earlier this week with several high profile players and clubs making history in the process, but it was women of colour who led the way when it came to breaking transfer records.

Both Naomi Girma and Tarciane made history with their recent moves to Chelsea and Lyon.

Girma’s groundbreaking move to Chelsea became the highest transfer fee of all-time and the first to hit the seven-figure mark at $1.1m. Just one week later, Brazilian stargirl Tarciane joined European giants Lyon for a near-record fee, becoming the second million dollar baller in the process.

Although headlines were made this week, women of colour have been setting new ground for the best part of a year when it comes to transfers. As it stands, five of the most expensive transfers in the world belong to women of colour.

Just under a year ago, Zambian icons Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda became two of the most expensive players in the world courtesy of their respective NWSL moves. Their transfers broke a record set by Mayra Ramírez and Chelsea just weeks before.

Women’s football is experiencing incredible growth around the world right now, from skyrocketing attendance numbers to broadcast deals that are taking some of the biggest leagues global. With more investment and revenue pushing the game forward, player valuation is at an all-time high. The women’s record transfer fee has been broken three times in less than a year – all by women of colour.

Of the five players, two are from Africa and two are from South America – continents that rarely get the recognition they deserve for the world-class talents they produce year after year.

Women of colour are underrepresented in football, from the pitch to the dugout. There are conversations about women’s footballers inspiring the next generation of players, but what about those aspiring ballers that don’t see themselves on the roster of their favourite club or country?

In a sport where the biggest teams in the world only have one or two non-white players in the mix, these five players have changed the narrative.
White European and North American players have historically been the focus of women’s football fandom and media, with most people suspecting the first seven-figure transfer fee would be for a Lioness or a Spanish player.

The fact that the first million dollar signing belongs to a Black player is a special moment in women’s football history and one that will continue to inspire young Black girls for years to come.

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