Mon Jan 27 04:37:44 UTC 2025: ## Chelsea Break Record with Signing of US Defender Naomi Girma
**London, Jan 26, 2025** – Chelsea Women have shattered the world record transfer fee for a female footballer, signing US international Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for a reported £900,000 ($1.1 million). The 24-year-old defender’s arrival surpasses the previous record of £685,000 paid for Racheal Kundananji in February 2024.
Girma, unveiled at Stamford Bridge before Chelsea’s game against Arsenal, expressed her excitement about joining the Women’s Super League champions. She cited Chelsea’s winning culture and environment as key factors in her decision.
The move comes after Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Girma, who played every minute of the US’s Olympic gold medal-winning campaign in Paris last year and was named US Soccer’s female player of the year in 2023, is seen as a key addition to the squad.
Chelsea head of women’s football, Paul Green, lauded Girma as a “world-class defender” entering her prime. The transfer also surpasses Chelsea’s previous British record transfer fee for a player.
First Piper 