Naomi Girma is the first women’s soccer player to earn $1 million after leaving San Diego for Chelsea Aitrend

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Women’s soccer has its first million-dollar player after American defender Naomi Girma left the San Diego Wave for Chelsea on Sunday.

Chelsea announced the signing of Girma without disclosing the fee, but The Athletic and the BBC were among those who said the English champions had spent 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million) on the transfer.

This surpasses the record $788,000 paid by Bay FC to sign Zambian striker Rachael Kundananji from Madrid CFF last year.

This is the third time Chelsea have paid a record amount for a player, following Danish striker Pernille Harder ($355,000) in 2020 and Colombian striker Mayra Ramirez ($542,000) last year.

Girma, 24, was under contract with the Wave until 2026. She attracted interest from French club Lyon and Arsenal, Chelsea’s rivals in the Women’s Super League.

Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC – Barclays Women’s Super League
Naomi Girma waves to the crowd as she is unveiled as a Chelsea player before the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 26, 2025 in London, England.

Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Girma was presented on the pitch in front of Chelsea fans ahead of Sunday’s match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the WSL.

“I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn’t feel real,” Girma said.

“There are many things about Chelsea that made me want to come here: the culture, the winning mentality, the staff and the players. It’s a great environment to learn and grow. Right now, That’s what I’m looking to do. It was an easy choice for me.

Girma made her national team debut in 2022. She appeared in 44 matches for the United States and played on the team that won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Netherlands vs USA – International Friendly Match
Naomi Girma of the United States passes the ball during the international friendly match between the Netherlands and the United States at the ADO Den Haag Stadion on December 3, 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands.

Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos / Getty Images

Girma was named American Soccer Player of the Year in 2023. She also won the federation’s Young Player of the Year award in 2020. During the Olympics, American coach Emma Hayes, former coach of Chelsea , called Girma “the best defender I could imagine.” that I have already seen.

“Naomi is a world-class defender who is now entering the best years of her career,” said Paul Green, head of women’s football at Chelsea.

“His composure on the ball, his ability to read the game, coupled with his pace and athleticism will add superior quality to an already very talented team.”

Girma was captain of the Stanford team that won the national championship in 2019. She was selected No. 1 in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League draft by The Wave. She was named the league’s Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year in her first season.

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