Orlando Pride Signs Zambian Star Grace Chanda Through 2025 Season

The Orlando Pride have announced the signing of Zambian international midfielder Grace Chanda to a contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026. 

Chanda, who most recently played for Madrid CFF in Spain’s Liga F, was a finalist for the African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2022. She will join the Pride after participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics with the Zambian national team.

“Grace had a breakout year in 2022, showing her capabilities, and we’ve been following her since the Women’s World Cup buildup last summer,” stated Haley Carter, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager. “Despite facing significant adversity off the field this past year, she has emerged stronger and ready to make an impact. We are thrilled to welcome her to Orlando. Her versatility, speed, technical skill, and tenacity will add quality and depth to our midfield and attack. We look forward to her settling into the City Beautiful and can’t wait to see her in purple!”

Chanda expressed her enthusiasm about the move: “I am extremely excited to join Orlando. It is a great club where I will play alongside amazing players like Marta and Barbra. This is a significant step in my life, as I have always wanted to play in the NWSL, one of the best leagues in the world. I hope to adapt quickly to help my teammates and the club achieve great things together. I’m looking forward to this amazing journey.”

Chanda began her international club career in 2022 with BIIK Kazygurt of the Kazakhstan Championship, scoring a hat-trick in her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut. She then signed a two-year contract with Madrid CFF, where she played 26 matches, scored three goals, and provided two assists, contributing to the club’s fifth-place finish in Liga F for the 2022-23 season.

Internationally, Chanda has represented Zambia in the 2018 and 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations and was a top goal scorer in the 2020 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, leading Zambia to their first Olympics. 

After overcoming illness that ruled her out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Chanda made a triumphant return to Madrid CFF, scoring just 11 minutes into her comeback match against Valencia on May 12, 2024.

Chanda rejoined the Zambian Women’s National Team in April for Olympic qualifying matches against Morocco, helping Zambia secure a spot in the 2024 Olympics with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs midfielder Grace Chanda to a two-year contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026.

Grace Chanda (Chan-DUH)

• Position: Midfielder
• Number: 23
• Height: 5-3
• Born: June 11, 1997, in Kasama, Zambia
• Hometown: Lusaka, Zambia
• Citizenship: ZAM

Source: Orlando Pride Communications