Naomi Girma joins Chelsea in world record £900,000 deal
Updated 26/01/2025 at 16:04 GMT
Chelsea have reportedly broken the world record transfer fee to sign United States international Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave. The Blues have splashed out around £900,000 for the defender, who becomes the first women's million-dollar player in a deal worth $1.1m. Girma, 24, has signed a long-term contract with the Women's Super League club, who won a battle with Lyon for her signature.
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Chelsea have reportedly shattered the world record transfer fee for a woman player to sign USA defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave.
Multiple reports claim that the 24-year-old has arrived for a fee in the region of £900,000 on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
If confirmed, the deal to bring in Girma from the National Women's Soccer League comfortably exceeds the £685,000 Bay FC splashed out for Racheal Kundananji in February 2024.
The transfer makes Girma the first million-dollar player in the history of women's football.
Girma was paraded on the Stamford Bridge pitch ahead of the Blues' WSL clash against London rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
Speaking to the club's website, she revealed that Chelsea's winning mentality is what attracted her to west London.
"I’m so happy and really excited to be here," she said. "It doesn’t feel real.
"There are a lot of things about Chelsea that made me want to come here - the culture, the winning mentality, staff and players. It’s a top environment to learn and grow in.
"Right now, that’s what I’m looking to do. It was an easy choice for me."
Girma marks Sonia Bompastor's first signing for the club since taking over from Emma Hayes at the start of the 2024/25 season. Hayes led Girma and Team USA to Olympic glory at the 2024 Paris Games.
Chelsea made the 2022 CONCACAF winner a priority signing after Kadeisha Buchanan suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
As well as her success with the national team, Girma has also picked up major honours at club level.
She has won the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup representing San Diego Wave, who are now managed by former Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall.
Girma was named in the NWSL Best XI in 2022 and 2023, won the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2023 and featured in the The Best FIFA Women's 11 for 2024.
She joins a Chelsea side who are charging towards a sixth straight WSL title, with Bompastor's team seven points clear of Arsenal in second place.
"Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career," added head of women’s football Paul Green.
"Naomi has showcased her talent in the NWSL winning various individual awards and delivered on the international stage for the USA, including this summer winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
"She is undoubtedly ready for this next step in her career and we are delighted it will be with Chelsea."
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