Chelsea sign USWNT star Girma for reported record-breaking fee

Chelsea Girls accomplished the signing of U.S. defender Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave on Sunday.

The deal is price a record-breaking $1.1 million, sources informed Meg Linehan of The Athletic, making Girma the primary ladies’s soccer participant to command a switch price in extra of $1 million.

The earlier switch document belonged to Zambian star Racheal Kundananji, who joined Bay FC of the Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League (NWSL) from Madrid CFF for a reported $785,000 final 12 months.

“I am so pleased and actually excited to be right here. It does not really feel actual,” Girma stated after signing a contract till 2029 and being unveiled at Stamford Bridge by the reigning Girls’s Tremendous League (WSL) champions.

“There are a variety of issues about Chelsea that made me need to come right here – the tradition, the successful mentality, workers and gamers. It is a prime surroundings to be taught and develop in … It was a straightforward alternative for me.”

Girma, 24, is broadly considered among the finest defenders on the planet. She performed each minute throughout the US’ run to the gold medal ultimately 12 months’s Paris Olympics, incomes excessive reward from head coach Emma Hayes alongside the way in which.

“She’s the most effective defender I’ve ever seen,” Hayes informed reporters after the USWNT’s semifinal victory over Germany. “Ever.”

Girma made her worldwide debut in 2022 and has since gone on to earn 44 worldwide caps, anchoring the U.S. backline and offering a relaxing and commanding presence for Hayes’ facet. She was nominated for FIFA’s participant of the 12 months award in 2024, and was named to the governing physique’s Finest XI.

Girma was the primary total decide within the 2022 NWSL Draft after taking part in collegiately at Stanford. She was twice named the league’s prime defender, serving to San Diego win the NWSL Defend in 2023.

The achieved center-back requested a transfer from the membership final season, sources informed Linehan, sparking widespread curiosity. European heavyweights Lyon have been additionally interested by signing Girma this month and have been ready to supply $1 million to San Diego, in response to Linehan.

Arsenal have been additionally within the combine, sources informed ESPN.

However Chelsea, seeking to bolster their backline after an ACL harm to Canadian worldwide Kadeisha Buchanan, emerged because the frontrunners, partially as a result of they have been ready to make Girma one of many highest-paid gamers within the WSL.

The Blues, who’ve claimed 5 consecutive WSL titles, are prime of the league as soon as once more this season.