Naomi Girma joins Chelsea for world record women’s football transfer fee

Naomi Girma, a reportedly world-record signing for a female footballer, was signed by Chelsea from San Diego Wave.

Girma is believed to have cost Chelsea 900, 000 euros ($1.1m), surpassing the world record of 685, 000 euros ($718, 976) paid by Bay FC for Racheal Kundananji in February 2024.

The 24-year-old was unveiled on the pitch by the Women’s Super League champions before Sunday’s game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

“I’m so happy and thoroughly excited to be here.” It doesn’t feel real”, Girma told Chelsea’s website.

“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 fantastic place to learn and develop.

Girma becomes Chelsea Women’s boss Sonia Bompastor’s first signing of the January transfer window.

After Kadeisha Buchanan, the Chelsea defender, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that could have kept her out the rest of the season, Bompastor targeted her.

The fee surpasses the previous British record set by Chelsea for Mayra Ramirez for 384, 000 euros ($403, 046) a year earlier.

Girma won US Soccer’s female player of the year award in 2023 and participated in every minute of the nation’s triumphant Olympic campaign in Paris last year.

Chelsea head of women’s football Paul Green said: “Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career”.