Chelsea sign Girma in reported world record deal for female footballer

Girma is ($1.1 million), surpassing the previous world record of £685,000 paid by Bay FC for Racheal Kundananji in February 2024. The 24-year-old was unveiled on the pitch by the Women's Super League champions ahead of Sunday's game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

"," Girma told Chelsea's website. "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." Girma becomes Chelsea Women's boss Sonia Bompastor's first signing of the January transfer window.

She was targeted by Bompastor after Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan that could rule her out for the rest of the season. The fee eclipses the previous British record set when Chelsea signed striker Mayra Ramirez from Levante for £384,000 a year ago.

Girma played every minute of the United States' victorious Olympic campaign in Paris last year and was also named . Chelsea head of women's football Paul Green said: "Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career."