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Chelsea have officially announced the signing of USWNT defender Naomi Girma for a world-record fee.
The defending Women's Super League champions have completed a deal with San Diego Wave worth a reported $1.1million [£881million].
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The 24-year-old defender has become the first female player to be signed for a fee worth in excess of $1million.
Girma was unveiled in front of a packed Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea's 1-0 win against rivals Arsenal in the WSL on Sunday.
Speaking upon her arrival, she told the club: "I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn’t feel real.
"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."
Girma was selected by the San Diego Wave as the first pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and had been with the team ever since, being part of the side that won the NWSL Shield in 2023.
She was named US Soccer's female player of the year and went on to represent the USWNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The California native impressed on a global stage en route to winning a gold medal, with former Chelsea manager and current USWNT boss Emma Hayes labeling her as "the best defender I’ve ever seen".
"I’ve never seen a player as good as her at the back," Hayes added.
"She’s got everything, poise, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. [She’s] unbelievable.”
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The two-time NWSL Defender of the Year has caught the attention of European giants for some time now, with Lyon and Arsenal all reportedly interested in acquiring her services.
Arsenal was not among the final contenders for Girma, according to reports, but Lyon were, tabling a world record $1million offer of their own before Chelsea won the race.
However, it appears Chelsea have won the race for the highly sought-after defender, who is under contract at the Wave until 2026.
Girma is the latest star player to leave the NWSL side, who are undergoing an overhaul under a new ownership group, general manager and coach.
Star striker Alex Morgan retired late last summer after announcing she was pregnant with her second child.
The Wave then traded veterans Abby Dahlkemper, Taylor Flint and Christen Westphal and released veterans Emily van Egmond and Sofia Jakobsson.
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As for Chelsea, they were in desperate need of signing a new centre-back with Kadeisha Buchanan currently out with an anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] injury.
They have won five straight titles and taken a huge step towards a sixth following their win over Arsenal.
Girma witnessed her new side beat the Gunners with a late penalty from Guro Reiten following a foul on Lauren James by Katie McCabe, who was sent off.
Chelsea remain top of the table and unbeaten in the WSL with a nine point lead over Manchester City.
Sonia Bompastor's side are also through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with Girma potentially set for instant success at her new club.
