Chelsea has made a major move in the women’s football market by signing U.S. defender Naomi Girma for a record-breaking fee of $1.1 million. This amount marks a milestone in the history of women’s football and solidifies Chelsea as a team determined to lead in every aspect of the sport. Girma, who comes from San Diego Wave, will undergo a medical examination in London this week before joining the team managed by Sonia Bompastor, a prominent leader in the Women’s Super League.
This signing not only sets a new world record but also raises the investment standards in women’s football. The figure far exceeds the previous record of $860,000 paid by Bay FC to sign Racheal Kundananji in February 2024, and more than doubles the amount Chelsea itself spent in January to sign Colombian forward Mayra Ramírez.
THE NEW STAR OF CHELSEA
Naomi Girma, a 24-year-old central defender, is considered one of the best in her position worldwide. With 44 international appearances and two goals for the U.S. since her debut in 2022, Girma had already caught the attention of major European clubs. Among them was French club Lyon, which offered $1 million, but Girma chose to join Chelsea.
With a contract with San Diego Wave until 2026, Girma leaves the NWSL after being named Player of the Year by US Soccer in 2023 and playing a key role in her team’s Olympic gold in Paris 2024. Her arrival at Chelsea, where she will share the locker room with her compatriots Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel, strengthens the team’s defense at a time when the club is comfortably leading the English league and aims to continue making history both on and off the field.