Chelsea have formally introduced the signing of USWNT defender Naomi Girma for a world-record payment.
The defending Ladies’s Tremendous League champions have accomplished a cope with San Diego Wave value a reported $1.1million [£881million].
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The 24-year-old defender has change into the primary feminine participant to be signed for a payment value in extra of $1million.
Girma was unveiled in entrance of a packed Stamford Bridge forward of Chelsea’s 1-0 win in opposition to rivals Arsenal within the WSL on Sunday.
Talking upon her arrival, she advised the membership: “I’m so joyful and actually excited to be right here. It doesn’t really feel actual.
“There are quite a lot of issues about Chelsea that made me need to come right here – the tradition, the profitable mentality, employees and gamers.
“It’s a high setting to study and develop in. Proper now, that’s what I’m seeking to do. It was a simple alternative for me.”
Girma was chosen by the San Diego Wave as the primary choose within the 2022 NWSL Draft and had been with the staff ever since, being a part of the facet that received the NWSL Defend in 2023.
She was named US Soccer’s feminine participant of the yr and went on to characterize the USWNT on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The California native impressed on a worldwide stage en path to profitable a gold medal, with former Chelsea supervisor and present USWNT boss Emma Hayes labelling her as “the perfect defender I’ve ever seen”.
“I’ve by no means seen a participant pretty much as good as her on the again,” Hayes added.
“She’s received every part, poise, composure, she will be able to defend, she anticipates, she leads. [She’s] unbelievable.”
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The 2-time NWSL Defender of the Yr has caught the eye of European giants for a while now, with Lyon and Arsenal all reportedly inquisitive about buying her providers.
Arsenal weren’t among the many closing contenders for Girma, in accordance with stories however Lyon had been, tabling a world document $1million supply of their very own earlier than Chelsea received the race.
Girma is the most recent star participant to depart the NWSL facet, who’re present process an overhaul beneath a brand new possession group, common supervisor and coach.
Star striker Alex Morgan retired late final summer time after asserting she was pregnant along with her second baby.
The Wave then traded veterans Abby Dahlkemper, Taylor Flint and Christen Westphal and launched veterans Emily van Egmond and Sofia Jakobsson.
As for Chelsea, they had been in determined want of signing a brand new centre-back with Kadeisha Buchanan presently out with an anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] harm.
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They’ve received 5 straight titles and brought an enormous step in direction of a sixth following their win over Arsenal.
Girma witnessed her new facet beat the Gunners with a late penalty from Guro Reiten following a foul on Lauren James by Katie McCabe, who was despatched off.
Chelsea stay high of the desk and unbeaten within the WSL with a 9 level lead over Manchester Metropolis.
Sonia Bompastor’s facet are additionally by to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with Girma probably set for immediate success at her new membership.