Chelsea Women have reached an agreement with San Diego Wave for the transfer of U.S. national team defender Naomi Girma. The deal is set to break records, with a reported transfer fee of $1.1 million, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. However, as of Tuesday, the transfer paperwork and Girma’s contract with Chelsea remain in the negotiation phase and are yet to be finalized. If completed, the 24-year-old will become the first player in women’s soccer to command a transfer fee exceeding $1 million.
Girma is currently under contract with the Wave until 2026, necessitating the significant transfer fee. While Chelsea and the Wave declined to comment on the matter, Girma was present at San Diego’s first preseason training session on Tuesday, with her name included in the team’s official roster.
Recognized as one of the best defenders globally, Girma earned widespread acclaim during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she played every minute as the USWNT secured the gold medal. Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes lauded Girma after the team’s semifinal win against Germany, stating, “She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever.”
European clubs, including Lyon, expressed strong interest in signing Girma, with Lyon reportedly making a $1 million offer. However, Arsenal was notably absent from the final negotiations. Girma initially joined the Wave as the first pick in the 2022 NWSL draft after a standout college career at Stanford. She has since been named NWSL Defender of the Year twice and was instrumental in the Wave’s 2023 NWSL Shield-winning campaign.
Sources suggest Girma requested a move from San Diego last season, following a similar path to midfielder Jaedyn Shaw, who was recently traded to North Carolina Courage. The Wave had anticipated Girma’s departure and recently signed 17-year-old Trinity Armstrong from the University of North Carolina on a three-year deal as her potential replacement.
At the international level, Girma has earned 44 caps since debuting for the USWNT in April 2022. Although she missed the January training camp due to a minor calf injury, she remains a key figure in the national team setup.
The Wave underwent leadership changes in the offseason, with Jonas Eidevall appointed head coach in January, following Casey Stoney’s departure. Former U.S. head coach Jill Ellis, who served as the club’s president, stepped down in December to take on a role as FIFA’s chief football officer. Meanwhile, Chelsea is looking to bolster their defensive options following Kadeisha Buchanan’s ACL injury in November.
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