‘World-class defender’ Naomi Girma women’s soccer’s 1st million-dollar player

Chelsea Football Club made history in the world of women’s soccer by signing United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave, making her the first million-dollar player in the sport. The English champions secured the talented player in a deal reportedly worth 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million US), surpassing the previous world-record transfer fee of $788,000 paid by Bay FC for Zambia striker Rachael Kundananji.

This isn’t the first time Chelsea has broken the bank for top talent, having previously set world-record fees for Denmark forward Pernille Harder in 2020 and Colombia forward Mayra Ramirez last year. Girma, who was under contract with the Wave until 2026, attracted interest from clubs like Lyon and Arsenal before ultimately choosing to join Chelsea.

The 24-year-old defender was presented to Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge ahead of the team’s match against Arsenal in the Women’s Super League. Girma expressed her excitement about joining the club, citing Chelsea’s winning mentality, culture, and top-notch environment as key factors in her decision.

Having made her debut for the United States national team in 2022, Girma has quickly established herself as a key player, winning the U.S. Soccer female player of the year award in 2023. During the Paris Olympics, U.S. coach Emma Hayes hailed Girma as “the best defender I’ve ever seen,” highlighting her exceptional skills on the pitch.

Paul Green, Chelsea’s head of women’s football, praised Girma’s world-class abilities, noting her composure on the ball, game-reading skills, pace, and athleticism as valuable additions to the squad. Girma’s impressive track record includes captaining Stanford to a national championship in 2019, being named the NWSL rookie of the year and defender of the year in her debut season.

With Girma’s arrival, Chelsea has further solidified its position as a powerhouse in women’s soccer, setting new standards for player acquisitions and investing in top talent to continue their success on the field.