Chelsea sign defender Girma for world record fee

Chelsea Football Club has completed the signing of American defender Naomi Girma for a world-record fee for a female football player. The 24-year-old has signed with Chelsea until the summer of 2029, after the Women's Super League (WSL) leaders agreed to pay San Diego Wave around £900,000 this week.

"I'm very happy and excited to be here. It doesn't quite feel real," Girma said on Chelsea's website, before meeting fans at Stamford Bridge for Sunday's WSL game against Arsenal. "There were so many aspects of Chelsea that attracted me to come here – the culture, the winning mentality, the coaching staff and the players. It’s a top environment to learn and grow. Right now, that’s exactly what I’m looking for. For me, it was an easy choice."

The transfer fee surpasses the previous record of £685,000 set when Bay FC signed Racheal Kundananji last February. Chelsea previously set a British record transfer fee of £384,000 when they signed Mayra Ramirez in January 2024. Girma is Chelsea's first signing of the January transfer window, having beaten off competition from Lyon. Chelsea made Girma a priority target after defender Kadeisha Buchanan was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

Women’s football general manager Paul Green said: "Naomi is a world-class defender who is in the prime of her career. Her composure on the ball, her ability to read the game, and her speed and athleticism will add top quality to an already very talented squad. She is undoubtedly ready for the next step in her career and we are delighted that she has chosen to come to Chelsea." In 2023, Girma helped San Diego win the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Shield and was named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. She was also part of the US team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

BBC Sport senior women's football reporter Emma Sanders analysed: "Girma's talent is no secret and she is widely regarded as one of the best female footballers around. Former Chelsea manager and current USA boss Emma Hayes said last year that Girma was the best centre-back in the world and she will undoubtedly be delighted to see her former club sign her. Having tasted silverware with the USA and San Diego, Girma arrives in England with ambitions of winning more trophies, particularly in the Champions League, and it is believed she had discussed expectations at Chelsea with Hayes. Lyon offered higher wages and were prepared to match the transfer fee that Chelsea eventually had accepted by San Diego, but Girma's first choice was always to join the Blues."

The signing is manager Sonia Bompastor's most significant to date and the club believes Girma will take them a step closer to a first European title. The long-term contract agreed also demonstrates Chelsea's intent – they have the capacity to attract the very best talent in the world and are looking to keep them.