USA international Naomi Girma has been bought by Chelsea from San Diego Wave for a world record fee of $1.1 million. The defender, who played every minute in the USA’s journey to gold in the 2024 Olympics, will be a valuable asset for Chelsea who remain unbeaten in the Women’s Super League (WSL) this season and have ambitions for domestic and European glory.
Girma, 24, is a left footed centre back who was named National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Rookie of the Year in her first year (2022) and NWSL Defender of the Year twice in a row, helping San Diego to secure the Shield in 2023. The star received offers from both Arsenal and Lyon before signing with Chelsea on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
More fans and media coverage are attracting big names to the WSL. Girma is joining her US Women’s National Team teammates Mia Fischel and Cat Macario at Chelsea, and is following star players, including Olympic champion Emily Fox, in their moves to England. After the Euros win in 2022, women’s football has become exponentially more popular, with crowds exceeding 60,000 in the 2023/ 2024 season.
This record-breaking transfer fee is a testament to the positive trajectory of women’s football, which is the fastest growing sport on the planet right now.
However, this development is also increasing the gap between the top teams in the WSL and the lower teams, many of which are not investing in their women’s side. Ian Wright has spoken out about the lack of resources and even lack of belief in the women’s teams within certain clubs, saying “if you gave some owners the opportunity to back out of supporting the women’s game, I think they would”.
With some clubs less willing to put money into their women’s teams, it is no surprise that teams like Chelsea have won the WSL five times in a row and look primed for a sixth. While there is accelerating growth, there is a question about sustainability if not all clubs are willing to invest in their women. In a world where women are still lacking in infrastructure, coaching, and resources at every level, it really does come down to money.
Another question is whether the women’s fees will eventually rise to the same extravagant levels as the men’s. The current transfer record for the men’s game is Neymar’s €220 million transfer from Barcelona to PSG. Players such as Jack Grealish and Moisés Caicedo have seemed to struggle under the pressures that such a price tag puts on them in Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively. Will the women’s side get to that stage, and should it? Only time will tell. In the meantime, this current achievement should not be overlooked. Casey Stoney, the former head coach of San Diego Wave and the Canadian national team coach, has called Girma “the most humble player on the planet,” despite her successes. The fact that she is breaking this record as a defender, a role which is often overlooked, demonstrates her talent and undeniable worth.
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