Chelsea are closing in on the signing of San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma for a world-record fee exceeding $1 million.

In soccer, defenders struggle to achieve the kinds of milestones that put them in the conversation as their sport’s best player. Their teammates are almost all better positioned for statistical records: goals scored by forwards,

Chelsea have reportedly agreed to pay the San Diego Wave a record-setting $1.1 million transfer fee for USWNT star defender Naomi Girma, per Meg Linehan

Naomi Girma will complete history when she signs for Chelsea from the San Diego Wave as she will become the first female footballer to break the $1 million transfer fee mark.

Girma, one of the best center backs in the world, will head to Chelsea in exchange for a record $1.1 million transfer fee. Chelsea, Arsenal and Lyon had all reportedly shown interest in acquiring the 24-year-old defender, per ESPN; in the end, Chelsea won out.

Chelsea have agreed a world-record deal to sign United States defender Naomi Girma, according to reports. The 24-year-old is set to move to the Women's Super League champions from San Diego Wave for a reported €1,055,000, eclipsing the current record – paid by Bay FC in February 2024 for Racheal Kundanaji – by €255,000.

A world-record deal of around £890,000 ($1.1m) has been agreed for Chelsea to sign defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave; the current record is £695,000 ($860,000) when Racheal Kundananji moved to Bay FC from Madrid CFF;