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SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Feb. 2, Reuters/Field Level Media) – San Diego Wave FC is transferring U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma to Chelsea FC of the Women's Super League for a world-record transfer fee.
The National Women’s Soccer League club announced the record transfer on Sunday but didn't disclose the amount. The Athletic reported the Wave will receive $1.1 million, surpassing the $785,000 paid by Bay FC 11 months ago to sign forward Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF.
“Naomi has been an integral part of the club since the day she was drafted in the inaugural season, and her impact on and off the field has been immeasurable,” said Camille Ashton, the Wave’s sporting director and general manager.
"While it’s difficult to part ways with a player of Naomi's caliber, we are incredibly proud of all she has achieved during her time with us. She has set a high standard here, and we wish her nothing but success as she continues her career overseas. Our focus has been and will continue to be building a team to compete for championships,” added Ashton.
The No. 1 pick of the 2022 NWSL Draft, Girma played every minute of her 27 matches played as a rookie and won both 2022 NWSL Rookie and Defender of the Year.
In 2023, she was named NWSL Defender of the Year and to the NWSL Best XI first team, both for the second consecutive season. In 2024, she earned Best XI second-team honors as she led the league with a 91.4-percent passing accuracy.
"San Diego Wave has been such an important part of my journey,” Girma, 24, said in a club statement. “I’ll forever be thankful for the opportunities I've had to grow here and for the incredible relationships I've built with my teammates, the sporting staff, and our amazing fans.”
Still, in a statement she made to Chelsea's website, it's clear the native Northern Californian and Stanford alum desired to play in Europe. She signed a 4 1/2-year deal with the London-based team.
“I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn't feel real,” she 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.”
Internationally, she has earned 44 caps and scored two goals since making her USWNT debut in April 2022. She played every minute of every match for the U.S. at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning the gold medal.
(Reuters/Field Level Media; used by permission)
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