USWNT star Naomi Girma is nearing a groundbreaking move to Chelsea for a world-record transfer fee of $1.1 million, as reported by The Athletic. This amount marks a historic milestone in women’s soccer, setting a new standard for future transfers.
The details surrounding the transfer remain under wraps, with sources indicating that the individual providing this information requested anonymity due to restrictions on public comments regarding the pending agreement.
At just 24 years old, Girma was previously contracted with the San Diego Wave until 2026. Her exceptional talent has attracted interest from top clubs, including French powerhouse Lyon and Arsenal from the Women’s Super League.
Girma made her national team debut in 2022 and has since participated in 44 matches for the United States, contributing to the team’s success in securing the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
U.S. coach Emma Hayes, who previously led Chelsea, praised Girma during the Olympics, stating, “She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen.” Hayes, who has coached elite defenders like Millie Bright and Magdalena Eriksson, emphasized Girma’s remarkable skills, saying, “She has everything: poise, composure, anticipation, and leadership.”
In recognition of her outstanding performance, Girma was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year for 2023, adding to her accolades that include the Young Player of the Year award in 2020.
As captain of the Stanford team, Girma led her squad to a national championship in 2019. She was selected as the first overall pick in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League draft by the Wave and quickly made her mark by earning both Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year honors in her debut season.
