Naomi Girma signs RECORD BREAKING deal with Chelsea

Photo Credit: Chelsea FC

US international, Naomi Girma has signed a record breaking deal with Chelsea Football Club.

The 24-year-old defender has spent the last two years at NWSL team San Diego Wave where she made 61 appearances. During her time at the Wave, Girma won the NWSL Shield, was named in the NWSL Best XI first team twice and won NWSL Defender of the Year twice.

In 2022, Naomi made her senior debut for the US Women’s National Team in a friendly against Uzbekistan. She was named in the USWNT Women’s World Cup squad in 2023 where she was a starting defender. 2023 saw her become the first defender to win the US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in their history. Considered one of the best centre backs in the world.

After winning Olympic gold in 2024, Naomi has became one of the most talked about stars in women’s football. She played every minute of the USWNT’s Olympic campaign and was deemed the team’s ‘most important player.’ According to The Guardian, Girma has placed 10th out of the top 100 women’s players in the world, as of December 2024.

Photo credits: Chelsea FC

Emma Hayes, manager of the USWNT, said Naomi was

“the best defender I have ever seen.”

Via: USA Today

‘I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn’t feel real,’ said Girma in her first Chelsea interview. The Blues’ new No. 16 added,

'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.’

Via: Chelsea FC

Photo credits: Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Chelsea announced the signing at the London derby where Chelsea won 1-0 against Arsenal.