Sun Jan 26 18:37:05 UTC 2025: ## Chelsea Break Women’s Football Transfer Record with Signing of US Defender Naomi Girma

**London, England** – Chelsea Women have shattered the world record for a women’s football transfer, signing US international defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for a reported €900,000 ($1.1 million). The deal surpasses the previous record of €685,000 ($718,976) set by Bay FC in February 2024.

The 24-year-old Girma, who was unveiled at Stamford Bridge before Sunday’s match against Arsenal, expressed her excitement at joining the Women’s Super League champions. “I’m so happy and really excited to be here,” she said. “It doesn’t feel real.” She cited Chelsea’s culture, winning mentality, and staff as key factors in her decision.

Girma’s acquisition marks manager Sonia Bompastor’s first signing of the January transfer window and is a direct response to the season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by defender Kadeisha Buchanan. The transfer also eclipses Chelsea’s previous British record signing, striker Mayra Ramirez, acquired for €384,000 ($403,046) last year.

Girma’s impressive credentials include playing every minute of the US women’s national team’s gold medal-winning Olympic campaign in Paris last year and being named US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in 2023. Chelsea head of women’s football, Paul Green, described Girma as a “world-class defender” entering the prime of her career. The signing signals Chelsea’s continued ambition to dominate the Women’s Super League and compete at the highest level of European football.

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