It has been coming for some time, but the women’s game finally has its first $1 million transfer. United States defender Naomi Girma is now the most expensive player in women’s soccer history as her $1.1m move to Chelsea from the San Diego Wave, announced on Sunday, surpassed the previous world record, when Bay FC spent $767,000 to secure the signing of forward Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF in February 2024.
Girma, 24, is widely regarded as the world’s best centre-back (and finished No. 2 in ESPN’s list of the 50 best female players in November), but nobody would have expected a defender to be the one to break the record.
Upon joining, ahead of the game against Arsenal, she told the club 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. Right now, that’s what I’m looking to do. It was an easy choice for me.”
So, how did this mega-deal come about? Tom Hamilton, Emily Keogh and Jeff Carlisle analyse the biggest transfer in women’s soccer.
A long-standing interest
Chelsea had long-standing interest in signing Girma, and former Chelsea boss and current USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is on record as saying she is the “the best defender I’ve ever seen.” But while the club never made a move while Hayes was in charge, they saw an opportunity to pounce during this window and took it.
Following Kadeisha Buchanan‘s ACL injury, Chelsea were looking to bolster their resources at centre-back. For a team who are dominating the Women’s Super League (WSL) under new boss Sonia Bompastor (with 10 wins and one draw from 11 games — and a six-point lead at the top of the table) it might seem odd to splash so much money on one player, but Girma is only 24 years old and has the potential to be a cornerstone of this Chelsea team for the next decade, while also stepping in as a long-term replacement for 31-year-old club-legend Millie Bright.
The Blues will make Girma one of the highest-paid players in the WSL and that is why they were able to beat off competition for her signature from both Arsenal and Lyon. A source told ESPN that one of the reasons Arsenal backed out of the deal was because of her expected wage demands, but the club were also unwilling to break the world record for the transfer fee either. Once Chelsea made it clear they could offer her what she wanted, the rest was simple. — Tom Hamilton
“I think if somebody does not want to be in the organization, not because of anything bad happening, but just because they’re ready for the next chapter or another chapter, I don’t think that that’s ultimately what’s best for the club either to keep them,” Ashton said. “We obviously had conversations, and we did our part … I think you’re better off figuring out how to do right by the player, but also it’s the right decision for the club at that point.”
Girma’s desire to move abroad meant the NWSL teams were out, and limited San Diego’s options in terms of where the player could land. But there were suitors, and Ashton indicated that it was only in the last couple of weeks that discussions accelerated. As noted already, Lyon came in with a competitive offer to match Chelsea, but Girma made her preference clear.
“Chelsea is where she wants to be,” Ashton said. “We also, though, made it clear to [Chelsea] that in order for us to move her we have to make sure that from a business perspective and from a team side that we are getting what we need out of it as well, because she’s obviously a big loss. And we were very clear that if that wasn’t the case then we don’t know if right now would be the window, or if it would be a next window. But she [Girma] really wanted to make a move this window, and ultimately we were able to secure a deal that made such for the club as well.
Some “back and forth” negotiations ensued, but the deal got done. “We landed in a good place that will help the club out as well,” Ashton said.
But that may take some time for San Diego fans to see. Two foundational players in Shaw and Girma are gone and replacing them won’t be easy. Ashton used the word “rebuild” in describing what has taken place in the Wave organization, both on the field and off it.
With the club now looking to move forward, she added: “It’s sort of this opportunity to reshape and to build this new way.” — Jeff Carlisle
A hunger for success
Chelsea have firmly established themselves as the major powerhouse in England, capturing the last five WSL titles under Hayes. And, since Bompastor took over in the summer, the club have continued to thrive, remaining unbeaten in all competitions. The Blues’ recent dominance has solidified their reputation as a global force in women’s football and their ability to attract some of the world’s best players.
Boasting one of the deepest and most talented squads across Europe, Chelsea were already a formidable opponent. However, Girma’s addition takes their defence to an entirely new level. Her arrival provides a crucial boost to a backline that has seen stalwart defender Bright in need of a consistent partner at centre-back.
Persistent injuries and departures have disrupted Chelsea’s defensive rhythm at times, but Girma’s presence offers both stability and world-class quality. With Girma alongside Bright, Chelsea have the potential to establish one of the most impenetrable defensive partnerships in the league, building on an already impressive defensive record that has seen them concede the second-fewest (6) goals this season.
The timing of Girma’s arrival could not be better. With Chelsea competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, battling in two domestic cup competitions, and pushing for an unprecedented sixth consecutive WSL title, squad rotation has become increasingly critical.
Girma’s versatility, composure, and leadership on the pitch will provide Bompastor with yet another world-class option as the season approaches its decisive final six months.
She steps into a team with an unparalleled hunger for success, a squad brimming with talent, and an infrastructure built to challenge for every major honour. For Chelsea, it’s another statement signing that reinforces their status as one of the premier destinations for elite players. — Keogh
