ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2026) — The Orlando Pride have signed forward Barbra Banda to a new contract through the 2029 season, a landmark agreement that secures the future of one of the game’s most influential players, the club announced today.
“Barbra is a transformational player whose impact extends far beyond the goals she scores on the field,” said Mark Wilf, Orlando Pride Owner & Chairman. “She represents the ambition, excellence and winning culture we’ve built and want to sustain long-term. Since arriving in Orlando, she has helped elevate our club to new heights and establish us among the world's premier women's football organizations. Securing Barbra's future is a reflection of our commitment to competing for championships year after year and investing in the players who define our club. We are proud that Orlando will continue to be her home for years to come.”
"Barbra is a cornerstone of everything we are building at the Pride,” said Caitlin Carducci, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations & General Manager. “She is one of the most dynamic players in world football and her impact on our club has been extraordinary from the moment she arrived in Orlando. As we continue to compete for championships, it is critical that we not only attract top talent but also create an environment where the world’s best players want to stay and build their careers. Barbra’s decision to commit her future to Orlando is a reflection of the culture, ambition and standards that have been established throughout the Club. We are excited to continue building around a player of her caliber as we pursue even greater success in the years ahead.”
"I am very happy to continue my journey with Pride," Banda said. "I want to thank my teammates, coaches, staff and the fans for believing in me and supporting me every day. Orlando has become a special place for me, and I am excited to keep fighting for this club and win more trophies together.”
Banda, 26, has been one of the most prolific strikers in league history since joining the Pride in March 2024 in one of the largest all-in investments in the NWSL at the time, Her impact was immediate, playing a pivotal role as the Pride captured both the 2024 NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship, just the third time in league history that a team has won the double and only the second club to do so. She finished her debut NWSL season with 13 regular-season goals and six assists, added four postseason goals and scored the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship Final, earning Championship MVP honors.
After her historic debut season, Banda continued to make her mark in 2025, leading the Pride with eight goals in 16 regular-season appearances despite missing time through injury. Her campaign included the first hat trick in club history as she helped Orlando reach a second consecutive NWSL Playoffs semifinals appearance.
This season, Banda has enjoyed another record-setting 2026 campaign with the Pride, scoring a single-season club-record 16 goals—currently second-most in the Golden Boot race—while adding three assists across all competitions. Her 16 goals have surpassed the previous club single-season record of 13 set by Marta in 2017 and matched by Banda during Orlando’s championship-winning 2024 season, while also making her just the fourth player in NWSL history to reach that tally in a single season. She currently leads the Pride in goals scored and is tied for the team lead in assists. In all, Banda has recorded 41 goals and 11 assists in 62 appearances across all competitions during her three seasons with the Club.
On the international stage, Banda captained Zambia at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as her nation’s leading scorer with five goals and one assist in three matches. In Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt, Banda became the first player in WAFCON history to be directly involved in six goals in a single match, scoring four times, providing an assist and winning a penalty that led to another goal. Her four-goal performance also tied the tournament record for the most goals scored by a player in a single match, making her just the third player in tournament history to accomplish the feat.
Banda’s impact since arriving in the NWSL has earned widespread recognition both domestically and internationally. The 2024 NWSL Championship MVP was also named to the 2024 NWSL Best XI First Team, while making history as the first African player to be named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year (2024). She has also been selected to the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in each of the past two years (2024, 2025) and recently received her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Fémenin nomination.
Before joining the Orlando Pride, Banda established herself as one of the most prolific forwards in Asia with Shanghai Shengli. Across four seasons with the Chinese club, she scored 41 goals in 52 appearances, highlighted by an 18-goal campaign in 2020 that earned her the CWSL Golden Boot after finishing with more than double the goal total of the league's next-highest scorer. She later recorded 16 goals and five assists in 2023 before making the move to Orlando in 2024.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs forward Barbra Banda to a new contract through the 2029 season.
