Big-spending London City Lionesses broke the world record for a women’s football transfer with the addition of Grace Geyoro, and here we take a look at the 10 most expensive signings after some huge moves were made over the summer.
The 10 most expensive signings in women’s football history
10. Lucia Corrales from Barcelona to London City Lionesses for £430,000
The London City Lionesses are top and bottom of the top 10 when it comes to the most expensive signings in women’s football history.
The WSL newcomers triggered the £430,000 release clause of 19-year-old forward Corrales on deadline day, with the Spaniard becoming their 15th signing of the summer.
Corrales made her debut in the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, coming on a second-half substitute.
9. Keira Walsh from Barcelona to Chelsea for £460,000
Keira Walsh held two spots in the top 10 going into the summer transfer window.
Her £400,000 move from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022 was a former holder of the world transfer record.
Walsh’s £460,000 move from Barcelona to Chelsea in January 2025 is still in the top 10, though will likely fall out by next summer.
8. Barbra Banda from Shanghai Shengli to Orlando Pride for £582,000
Zambian international Barbra Banda has lit up the international stage with 57 goals in 63 appearances for her country.
Her performances for club and country led to a move to Orlando Pride in March 2024.
In Orlando, she has won the NWSL championship, scored 19 goals in 27 appearances and won the league’s MVP award.
However, she has been ruled out for the rest of this season with an abductor injury.
7. Tarciane from Houston Dash to Lyon for £650,000
Brazilian international Tarciane spent just one season at Houston Dash before she joined Lyon in February 2025 for £650,000.
The 22-year-old centre-back is one of the most talented young defenders in football and won a silver medal with Brazil at last year’s Olympics.
Her move from Internacional to Houston Dash in 2024 falls just outside of the top 10.
6. Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF to Bay FC for £685,000
Racheal Kundananji became the most expensive signing in women’s football history when she joined San Francisco-based Bay FC in February 2024.
The Zambian international scored 33 goals in 43 appearances during her time at Madrid CFF.
At Bay FC she has currently netted six goals in 35 appearances.
5. Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave to Chelsea for £883,000
Naomi Girma has slipped from first to fifth in the list of the most expensive signings in women’s football history.
The 25-year-old broke the record back in January after cementing her place as one of the best defenders in world football.
Girma missed the opening game of the new season with a calf injury, but made eight appearances for the Blues during the second-half of the 2024-25 season.
4. Olivia Smith from Liverpool to Arsenal for £1m
Canadian international Olivia Smith became the first £1m player in women’s football history when she joined Arsenal from Liverpool in June.
The world record went on to be broken two more times during the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Smith made an instant impact with a stunning goal in her debut against the London City Lionesses.
3. Alyssa Thompson from Angel City to Chelsea for £1.1m
Alyssa Thompson became Chelsea’s most expensive player on deadline day after joining from Angel City.
There has been some debate over her transfer, with initial reports suggesting just under £1m, before later reports stated that it had crossed the £1m mark.
The deal appears to have fallen just short of the next player in this list, though it could rise to become a world record fee with potential add-ons.
2. Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres to Orlando Pride for £1.1m
Olivia Smith’s world record lasted little more than a month before Orlando Pride paid £1.1m for Mexican international Lizbeth Ovalle.
Ovalle had previously been linked to some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona and Arsenal.
However, she ultimately decided to spend the next chapter of her career in the United States.
1. Grace Geyoro from Paris Saint-Germain to London City Lionesses for £1.43m
"She's a complete player with a lot of experience" 🔝
Jocelyn Precheur speaks about signing Grace Geyoro for a current World Record Fee 🤩 pic.twitter.com/pP1FET2wl1
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) September 5, 2025
Grace Geyoro tops the list of the most expensive signings in women’s football history after her deadline day move to the London City Lionesses.
The big-spending Lionesses had already made some big waves during the summer transfer window.
However, they left their biggest act until the final day of the window, signing former Chelsea target Geyoro from PSG.
Just days before, it was reported that she was ‘ready to leave PSG’ and that Chelsea were interested. However, the Blues didn’t pursue a move, and the ambitious Lionesses signed the talented French player for nearly £1.5 million.
