By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

Zambia Barbra Banda has been named the British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) Women’s Footballer of the Year, emerging as the top vote-getter from BBC Sport readers following a five-player shortlist.

The panel of global football experts based on performances from September 2023 to August 2024.

Banda expressed her surprise and gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank everyone who voted and those who have supported me, my family, my national team, and the Pride team.”

Banda scored four goals for Zambia, including a hat-trick against Australia, making her the leading African goal scorer in Olympic history with 10. She also netted 13 goals for the Pride in the 2024 NWSL season, despite joining in March.

Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati from Spain and Barcelona came second in the voting, while Sophia Smith of the USA and Portland Thorns finished third.

Banda became the second-most expensive women’s football signing in history when she transferred to the Pride for $740,000 (£581,000).