KC Current Sign 18-year-old Forward Fridah Mukoma

The Kansas City Current have given fans lots to be excited about in recent years. From the opening of the world’s first purpose-built women’s professional soccer stadium to fantastic results on the field last year (and so far this year), things are looking up.

They’ve also done well to bring in young, dynamic talent. The standout name so far has been midfielder Claire Hutton who was a regular starter last year and is still just 19 years old. Hutton got her first call up to the United States Women’s National Team recently, along with (also young) 22-year-old winger Michelle Cooper.

In addition to Hutton and Cooper, the team has plenty of other young players, including teenagers Katie Scott and Mary Long. Add another name to the list in 18-year-old Fridah Mukoma.

Snuck into the press release announcing the signing of Angolan forward Flora Marta Lacho, was the news of the Zambian forward Mukoma. She’s signed through 2028 but won’t likely play for the KC Current quite yet. Instead, Mukoma finds herself loaned out to Beijing Jingtan FC in the Chinese Women’s Super League through the end of 2025.

Kansas City acquired Fridah Mukoma from her club in Zambia, the ZESCO Ndola Girls for an “undisclosed transfer fee.”

Fridah joins good company in the NWSL as the fifth Zambian player to join the league. Barbra Banda of the Orlando Pride is the headliner, but the Pride also have Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya and Bay FC signed Rachael Kundananji.

Last season, Mukoma had herself a breakout year scoring five goals and adding 13 assists. She’s only played in China for a single game and already scored two more goals. She’s represented her youth and full national team already as well. For her senior team debut, at just 18, she made four appearances and scored four goals on the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship, sharing the golden boot award with a teammate. Three goals came in the same game against Comoros. Despite the lower competition, they were well taken finishes.

Even though Mukoma just signed with the KC Current, she’s already made it onto Goal.com’s teenage wonderkids list at #22, along with Claire Hutton (#7).

As for when Mukoma could make her debut, that’s up in the air. I’d suspect she stays in China through this season, but you never know. It may depend on her progress and when the Current need her. Sometimes players never take the next step, though. Last year, the Current signed Opeyemi Ajakaye and loaned her to USL Super League’s Carolina Ascent but her contract was terminated in the preseason.

Despite that, the upside really appears to be there for Fridah Mukoma.

Below are the highlights from Zambia’s 7-0 performance against a 10-woman Comoros squad where Fridah (11) got her hat-trick.