Chelsea have officially announced the signing of United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for a world-record fee of £900,000.
The 24-year-old was unveiled to fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, ahead of the Women’s Super League clash against Arsenal.
The deal surpasses the previous record set by Bay FC in February 2024, who paid £685,000 for Racheal Kundananji.
With a reported $1.1 million (approx. £900,000), Girma becomes the first-ever million-dollar transfer in women’s football, as Chelsea fend off competition from French club Lyon to secure her services.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Girma expressed her excitement, saying: “I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn’t feel real. 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.”