Naomi Girma: Chelsea sign the best defender EVER

Robin Bairner

• 22 Jan 2025 08:00 CST
• 3 min read

Naomi Girma will complete history when she signs for Chelsea from the San Diego Wave as she will become the first female footballer to break the $1 million transfer fee mark.

Chelsea Women have agreed a deal worth $1.1m (€1.06m) for the 24-year-old, notably beating Lyon to her signature.

The transfer will eclipse the previous record, which is Racheal Kundananji’s switch from Madrid CFF to Bay FC.

For Chelsea, though, Girma’s arrival represents a smart bit of business, with the San Jose-born defender having won rave reviews throughout her career.

READ MORE: What are the most expensive women’s football transfers of all time? The 50 highest fees in history

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, who left her post at Chelsea to take that role, has led the praise of the former Stanford Cardinal.

Following Girma’s performance against Germany at the Olympics, Hayes told reporters: “She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever.”

Sky Sports pundit Anton Toloui added: “Her timing, positioning, strength and athleticism make her a calm, yet almost unbeatable presence for both club and country and at 24, she's seen as someone that can only get better.

“Chelsea aren't afraid to spend big to sign their top targets - only a year ago they agreed a fee that could have risen to a then world record when they signed Mayra Ramirez from Levante.

“That deal was worth just over £400,000 - it's now double to break the world record given the additional finances in the game.

“This is being seen as a signing for the long term as Chelsea not only look to continue their domestic dominance, but also win their first Champions League.”

READ MORE: Premier League January transfers 2025: All the Done Deals

When will Girma make her Chelsea debut?

Chelsea have been warned that Girma will not feature for the Blues for quite some time.

Her last appearance was for the USA against Netherlands in early December and with pre-season training for the NWSL only starting at the beginning of the week, it is likely to be some time before she is available to play once the Stamford Bridge outfit confirm the signing.