After decades lost to draconian bans implemented by morally bankrupt institutions that are still allowed to exist, women's football is unmistakably on an upward trajectory. This hard-fought rise is borne out in the increasing figures of registered players, watching fans and transfer fees.
Milene Domingues' move from Fiamma Monza to Rayo Vallecano in 2002 for a sum of €235,000 (at the time worth just under £150,000) stood as the world's most expensive transfer until 2020. Unlike Domingues, Pernille Harder did not boast the highest number of keepy-uppies ever recorded but still persuaded Chelsea to part ways with £250,000.
Over the following years, that high watermark has been shattered so frequently that Harder no longer ranks among the most expensive transfers of all time. Here's a closer look at the deals that have helped the women's game continue to grow.
1. Racheal Kundananji, Madrid CFF to Bay FC, 2024 - £685,000
2. Barbra Banda, Shanghai Shengli to Orlando Pride, 2024 - £581,000
3= Ewa Pajor, Wolfsburg to Barcelona, 2024 - £425,000
3= Mayra Ramirez, Levante to Chelsea, 2024 - £425,000
5. Keira Walsh, Manchester City to Barcelona, 2022 - £400,000
6. Tarciane, Corinthians to Houston Dash, 2024 - £384,000
7. Lena Oberdorf, Wolfsburg to Bayern Munich, 2024 - £339,000
8. Jill Roord, Wolfsburg to Manchester City, 2023 - £300,000
9. Kyra Cooney-Cross, Hammarby - Arsenal, 2023 - £297,000
10= Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns to Lyon, 2023 - £254,000
10= Geyse, Barcelona to Manchester United, 2023 - £254,000
