Chelsea Women have agreed to terms with the San Diego Wave for the transfer of U.S. women’s national team defender Naomi Girma for a record $1.1 million fee, according to sources briefed on the negotiations. As of Tuesday, the paperwork over the transfer and Girma’s contract at Chelsea is still in the negotiation process and not finalized. The 24-year-old is now set to become the first player to earn a transfer fee worth more than $1 million.
Girma is under contract at the Wave until 2026 which is why the deal requires a transfer fee.
The Wave declined to comment on Tuesday, and Chelsea did not reply to a request for comment.
The Wave released their preseason roster ahead of the team’s first training session on Tuesday, which included Girma. She reported to San Diego on the first day of training.
Girma is considered to be among the best defenders in the world and earned significant praise for her performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, playing every minute as the USWNT won gold.
“She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen,” head coach Emma Hayes said after her side’s semifinal victory against Germany. “Ever.”
Girma had considerable European interest, including from Lyon — who had come to the table with a $1 million offer of their own. According to the sources…
