San Diego Wave and US Women’s National Team defender, Naomi Girma, is heading to London for a world record fee of $1.1 million (£890,000), reports The Athletic’s Meg Linehan.
The transfer makes Girma the first ever female player to be signed for over $1 million.
The previous record deal was made in 2022, when Barcelona signed Keira Walsh from Manchester City.
Before Christmas, Chelsea lost Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan through an ACL injury, which saw manager Sonia Bompastor transition the team out of a back-three formation and into a back four.
Girma is a Stanford University graduate, where she played alongside USWNT teammate Sophia Smith.
In her four years as a Cardinal, Girma was a 2019 NCAA DI champion and 2021 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Her collegiate success led to her being the first overall draft pick in 2022, having been selected by San Diego Wave.
In her three seasons with the Wave, Girma won the 2023 NWSL Shield and the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup.
The record-breaking fee shows just how quickly the defender has become one of the most sought-after players in current women’s football.
Her talents have been consistently recognised by the NWSL and the USSF, having won US Soccer Player of the Year in 2023 and two-time NWSL Defender of the Year.
There will be known and welcome faces waiting for Girma as she will join USWNT teammates Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel (who is also recovering from an ACL injury).
No comments have so far been made by Chelsea FC Women or Naomi Girma.
