Chelsea women have made defender Naomi Girma the world's first $1 million women's player after signing the 24-year-old defender from San Diego Wave.
A deal worth around £890,000 ($1.1 million) was agreed between the two clubs, breaking the current record of £695,000 ($860,000) when Racheal Kundananji moved to Bay FC from Madrid CFF.
The transfer comes after Chelsea signed Levante Striker Mayra Ramirez in January last year for a British record fee of £384,000, plus up to £42,600 in add-ons.
Girma has made 44 appearances for the USA since making her debut in April 2022 and won gold with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, drawing huge praise from Boss Emma Hayes – the former Chelsea manager.
“She's the best defender I've ever seen,” Hayes said after her side's semi-final win against Germany.
The 24-year-old was also named as the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.
Girma joined the San Diego Wave as the first pick in the 2022 NWSL draft and has been named NWSL Defenseman of the Year twice. She was part of the golf side that won the NWSL shield in 2023.
Chelsea were without centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in November.
'The world's best centre-back who can help Chelsea win the Champions League'
Analysis by Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui:
“Naomi Girma moving for a world record fee will not surprise anyone who has watched her play since the first player was selected in the 2022 NWSL draft.
“Everyone who has worked with her, including coaching heavyweights Emma Hayes and Casey Stoney, talks about her in superlatives, which is another reason why she is regarded as the best centre-back in the world.
“Her timing, positioning, strength and athleticism make her a calm but almost unbeatable presence for both club and country and at 24 she is seen as someone who can only get better.
“Chelsea are not afraid to spend big to sign their top targets – just a year ago they agreed a fee that could have risen to a then record when they signed Mayra Ramirez from Levante.
“That deal was worth just over £400,000 – it's now double the world record given the extra finances involved.
“Don't expect Girma to start for Chelsea anytime soon, but the defender hasn't played since the US's 2-1 win over the Netherlands in early December and NWSL pre-season training only started this week.
“This is seen as a long-term signing as Chelsea look to not only continue their domestic dominance but also win their first Champions League.”
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