Chelsea sign United States defender Naomi Girma in world-record transfer

LONDON – Chelsea have made Naomi Girma the first female million-dollar player, signing the United States defender to a long-term deal for a world-record transfer fee reported by British media to be in the region of US$1.1 million (S$1.48 million).

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club San Diego Wave announced the deal on Jan 26.

While they did not disclose the amount, The Athletic reported the Wave will receive US$1.1 million, surpassing the US$860,000 paid by Bay FC 11 months ago for Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF.

“Naomi has been an integral part of the club since the day she was drafted in the inaugural season, and her impact on and off the field has been immeasurable,” said Camille Ashton, the Wave’s sporting director and general manager.

“While it’s difficult to part ways with a player of Naomi’s calibre, we are incredibly proud of all she has achieved during her time with us.”

There was competition for Girma’s signature, with French club Lyon also expressing an interest, before Chelsea eventually sealed the deal.

The previous British transfer record was also held by Chelsea, who signed Colombian forward Mayra Ramirez from Spanish side Levante for US$544,000 in 2024.

Chelsea, who have won the last five Women’s Super League titles and are seven points clear at the top, hope Girma can help them win their maiden Champions League crown.

The Blues’ director of women’s football, Paul Green, told the club website: “Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career.

“Her composure on the ball, ability to read the game coupled with her pace and athleticism will add top quality to an already very talented squad.”

The No. 1 pick of the 2022 NWSL Draft, Girma played every minute of her 27 matches as a rookie and won both 2022 NWSL Rookie and Defender of the Year, while also making the NWSL Best XI first team.

In 2023, she was named NWSL Defender of the Year and included in the NWSL Best XI first team again.

“San Diego Wave has been such an important part of my journey,” Girma, 24, said in a club statement.

“I’ll forever be thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow here and for the incredible relationships I’ve built with my teammates, the sporting staff and our amazing fans.”

Still, in a statement she made on Chelsea’s website, it was clear the Stanford alumna desired to play in Europe.

She signed a 4½-year deal with the London-based team.

‘I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn’t feel real,” she said.

“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.”

Internationally, she has earned 44 caps and scored two goals since making her United States debut in April 2022.

She played every minute of every match for them at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning the gold medal.

Former Chelsea manager and current US coach Emma Hayes called Girma “the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever. I’ve never seen a player as good as her in the back”.

On being a defender, she said: “There’s so much strategy that I love that goes into it and I think there is a technique.

“There’s reading the play, but also you’re just always doing things for the team.”

Girma’s parents moved to the US from Ethiopia and when she was young, her father formed a grassroots club, called Maleda Soccer, in California.

“It was just for Ethiopian kids to get together, play soccer and hang out,” she told BBC Sport.

“That was when I first started playing.” REUTERS