Naomi Girma transfer: Chelsea Women agree world-record fee for San Diego Wave defender
Chelsea Women have agreed a world-record fee with San Diego Wave for defender Naomi Girma.
A deal of around £890,000 ($1.1m) has been settled on between the two clubs, breaking the current record of £695,000 ($860,000) when Racheal Kundananji moved to Bay FC from Madrid CFF.
The centre-back is expected to have a medical in London later this week and become Blues manager Sonia Bompastor's first January signing at the club.
The transfer comes after Chelsea signed Levante striker Mayra Ramirez in January last year for a British-record fee of £384,000, plus up to £42,600 in add-ons.
Girma reported for San Diego's first day of pre-season training on Tuesday but it appears it could have been her last session with the club, which former Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall manages.
Girma has made 44 appearances for the USA since making her debut in April 2022 and won gold with Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games, drawing huge praise from boss Emma Hayes.
"She's the best defender I've ever seen," said Hayes after her side's semi-final victory against Germany.
The 24-year-old was also named as the US Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2023.
Girma joined the San Diego Wave as the first pick in the 2022 NWSL draft and has twice been named NWSL defender of the year. She was part of the Wave side that won the NWSL Shield in 2023.
Chelsea sit top of the Women's Super League table with a seven-point lead over Arsenal and have qualified for the knockout stages of the Women's Champions League.
They have been without centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in November.
Analysis by Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui:
"Naomi Girma moving for a world-record fee won't surprise anyone that's watched her play since being the first player selected in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
"Everyone that's worked with her, including coaching heavyweights Emma Hayes and Casey Stoney, talks about her in superlatives which is another reason why she's seen as the best centre-back on the planet.
"Her timing, positioning, strength and athleticism make her a calm, yet almost unbeatable presence for both club and country and at 24, she's seen as someone that can only get better.
"Chelsea aren't afraid to spend big to sign their top targets - only a year ago they agreed a fee that could have risen to a then world record when they signed Mayra Ramirez from Levante.
"That deal was worth just over £400,000 - it's now double to break the world record given the additional finances in the game.
"Don't expect to see Girma start for Chelsea anytime soon though as the defender hasn't played since USA's 2-1 win over Netherlands at the start of December and NWSL pre-season training only started this week.
"This is being seen as a signing for the long term as Chelsea not only look to continue their domestic dominance, but also win their first Champions League."
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