Chelsea breaks world record with £900,000 transfer for star player
Chelsea has officially announced the acquisition of US defender Naomi Girma for a fee that sets a new global benchmark.
The 24-year-old was presented on the pitch by the Women’s Super League champions on Sunday, prior to the match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
She arrives from San Diego Wave for a reported £900,000, eclipsing the current record paid by Bay FC in February 2024 for Racheal Kundananji – by £215,000.
At 1.1million US dollars, it makes Girma the first million-dollar transfer in the women’s game after the Blues fended off competition from French side Lyon.
She told Chelsea’s website: “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.”
Girma becomes Sonia Bompastor’s first signing of the January transfer window and joins after defender Kadeisha Buchanan was ruled out.