Chelsea FC Women has announced the signing of US international defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave FC for a record-breaking transfer fee.
The deal which is reported to be around 900,000 pounds ($1.12 million) makes Girma the first million-dollar player in women’s football, surpassing the previous record transfer fee of 575,900 pounds ($785,000) for Racheal Kundananji.
The 23-year-old joined the side on a four-and-a-half-year deal with loads of experience having been named NWSL Defender of the Year twice and earning spots in the league’s Best XI in consecutive seasons.
Girma is known to be the leader on the pitch and boasts an exceptional 91.4% passing accuracy in the 2024 season.
“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.
“Right now, that’s what I’m looking to do. It was an easy choice for me,” she added.
Chelsea will undoubtedly look to leverage Girma’s skills and leadership as they aim to maintain their dominance in the Women’s Super League and challenge for UEFA Women’s Champions League glory.
Proud Ethiopian heritage
Girma is the first player of Ethopian descent to represent the US women’s national team.
She was born and raised in San Jose, California, but her parents both emigrated to the US from East Africa in their twenties.
Her father Girma Aweke was a refugee who fled the war there, while her mother Seble Demissie left Ethiopia to study in the US.
“Ethiopian heritage, the culture, the food, the language, everything… the community has been such a big part of my upbringing,” Girma told BBC Sport.
“We had a big community in San Jose. It’s always been such a big part of me. I’m very proud of where I come from, where my parents come from.”
Girma, who speaks both English and Amharic, is proud to wear the famous Stars and Stripes shirt, while still remembering her heritage.
She has a passion for representation and wants to inspire the next generation.
“A lot of times as a first-generation kid or as an immigrant kid, you don’t really see people in places you want to go, doing what you want to do, and it’s hard to dream for that,” Girma said.
“For me, it’s really important to be clear [about] ‘this is where I’m from and this is who I am’ and for kids to see that is really important.
“To be that example and to be that representation is really important to me.”
