Chelsea Women have made a blockbuster move, signing United States international defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in a deal that has reportedly smashed the world record transfer fee for a female footballer, Al Jazeera reports.
The transfer, believed to be worth €900,000 ($1.1 million), surpasses the previous record of €685,000 ($718,976) paid by Bay FC for Racheal Kundananji in February of this year.
The 24-year-old Girma was officially unveiled at Stamford Bridge before Chelsea’s Women’s Super League clash against Arsenal on Sunday, marking a significant acquisition for the reigning champions.
Girma is the first signing of the January transfer window for new Chelsea Women’s manager Sonia Bompastor. The move was reportedly prompted by a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained by defender Kadeisha Buchanan, potentially sidelining her for the remainder of the season.
The transfer fee also eclipses the previous British record set by Chelsea themselves when they brought in striker Mayra Ramirez from Levante for €384,000 ($403,046) last year.
Girma arrives at Chelsea with a stellar reputation. She played every minute of the United States’ triumphant Olympic campaign in Paris last year and was named US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in 2023, solidifying her position as one of the world’s top defenders.
