While Chelsea and the Wave have not released a figure, previous reports pegged the transfer fee at $1.1 million. That money could cover one-third of the Wave’s 2025 payroll. The National Women’s Soccer League caps payrolls at $3.3 million per team per year; top players make between $200,000 and $500,000 per season.

U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma became the most expensive transfer in women's soccer after penning a deal with English club Chelsea.

One of the biggest transfer sagas has finally come to an end. Naomi Girma has officially signed for Chelsea from San Diego Wave in a historic $1 million deal. As ardent Blues fans and others around the world continue to celebrate this record-breaking move in the history of the women’s game,

Such platitudes are expected from any new player, but there was a kernel of truth within it. Chelsea have positioned themselves as being the best team in England’s thriving market by bringing in talented personalities on and off the pitch. That, in turn, encourages others to join.

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of United States defender Naomi Girma for a world record fee on a long-term deal from San Diego Wave.

San Diego Wave and American international center-back Naomi Girma agreed to move to English side Chelsea for a world-record women's transfer fee of $1.1 million, The Athletic's Meg Linehan reported Tuesday.

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.

Girma grew up in San Jose and attended Pioneer High School before becoming a standout at Stanford. She was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NWSL draft and has won the league’s defender of the year award in each of her first two seasons.