'World-class defender' Naomi Girma women's soccer's 1st million-dollar player

Women's soccer has its first million-dollar player after United States defender Naomi Girma moved from San Diego Wave to Chelsea on Sunday.

Chelsea announced the signing of Girma without disclosing the fee but The Athletic and the BBC were among those reporting the English champions have spent 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million US) on the transfer.

That surpasses the world-record fee of $788,000 that Bay FC paid to sign Zambia striker Rachael Kundananji from Madrid CFF last year.

It is the third time Chelsea has paid a world-record fee for a player, after Denmark forward Pernille Harder ($355,000) in 2020 and Colombia forward Mayra Ramirez ($542,000) last year.

The 24-year-old Girma was under contract until 2026 with the Wave of the National Women's Soccer League. She was drawing interest from French club Lyon and Arsenal, Chelsea's rival in the Women's Super League.

Girma was presented on the field in front of Chelsea's fans ahead of Sunday's game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the WSL.

"I'm so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn't feel real," Girma said.

"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."

Girma made her debut for the national team in 2022. She has appeared in 44 games with the United States and played on the squad that won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Girma was named U.S. Soccer female player of the year for 2023. She also won the federation's Young Player of the Year award in 2020. During the Olympics, U.S. coach Emma Hayes, the former coach at Chelsea, called Girma "the best defender I've ever seen."

"Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career," said Paul Green, Chelsea's head of women's football.

"Her composure on the ball, ability to read the game coupled with her pace and athleticism will add top quality to an already very talented squad."

Girma was captain of the Stanford team that won the national championship in 2019. She was taken at No. 1 in the NWSL draft by the Wave. She was named the league's rookie of the year and defender of the year in her first season.