United States Women's National Team star Naomi Girma finalizes her move to Chelsea FC for a groundbreaking transfer sum.
With three successful seasons under her belt at San Diego Wave FC, Naomi Girma made history by signing a groundbreaking deal with Chelsea FC in the Women's Super League (WSL). The defender's move, worth an astounding $1.1 million, established a new record in women's soccer.
Girma shared her gratitude for her time with Wave, expressing appreciation for the opportunities, relationships, and support that had helped her dream of playing in Europe come true.
Girma's Stellar Track Record
Girma's previous contract, lasting until 2026, required a transfer fee to facilitate the move. At that time, the NWSL transfer records fee had been set by Bay FC at $767,000 when they signed forward Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF in February 2024.
Girma represented the US Women’s National Team at both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won gold with the USA under the guidance of Emma Hayes. Her performance at the latter tournament saw her play every minute and contribute to a backline that conceded only two goals across six games.
Despite having options to join clubs like Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais, Girma was drawn to Chelsea by the opportunity to work with Emma Hayes, who had guided the club to 16 trophies, including seven WSL titles and five FA Cups.
Why Chelsea?
At Chelsea, Girma will be coached by Sonia Bompastor, who has led the club for the past six months. Bompastor praised Girma's abilities, highlighting her ball control, versatility, and potential to improve the squad.
Although Girma is recovering from a small calf injury, she voices her enthusiasm for the ‘winning culture’ and mentality at Chelsea, which appealed to her desire to join a prestigious club with an exceptional environment.
Enrichment Insights
- Girma's Individual Achievements: Girma was named US Soccer's Female Player of the Year and earned firsts in NWSL Rookie and Defender of the Year awards in her rookie season. She claimed the Defender of the Year Award twice consecutively.
- Transfer Record Breaking: The deal of $1.1 million dethroned the previous NWSL transfer records fee of $860,000.
- Chelsea’s Club Ambition: By signing Girma, Chelsea reinforced its status as a dominant force in women's football, aimed at leading the WSL and European competitions.
- Competitive Advantage: Girma's versatility and ball control would bolster Chelsea's backline, which was aiming to recover from the loss of Kadeisha Buchanan to an ACL injury.
- Personal Growth Opportunities: Girma's excitement stemmed from the chance to collaborate with top-notch players like Millie Bright, providing her with an ideal platform to develop and contribute.
Girma's new contract with Chelsea FC in the Women's Super League not only breaks the women's soccer transfer record but also showcases the business side of sports, demonstrating the growing financial value placed on women's football.
Furthermore, the high value associated with Girma's signing highlights the significant role that sportsmoney plays in attracting top talent to elite clubs, elevating their performance on the field.
