Chelsea have completed the signing of USA defender Naomi Girma for a women’s world record fee.
The 24-year-old has signed a contract until summer 2029 after the Women’s Super League (WSL) leaders this week agreed to pay San Diego Wave about £900,000.
The fee exceeds the previous record of £685,000, when Bay FC signed Racheal Kundananji last February.
Chelsea set the British transfer record in signing Mayra Ramirez for £384,000 in January 2024.
Girma is Chelsea’s first signing of the January transfer window after they fought off competition from Lyon.
Chelsea made her a priority target after losing defender Kadeisha Buchanan to a season-ending knee injury.
In 2023 Girma helped San Diego win the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Shield and was named US Soccer’s female player of the year.
She was part of the USA side that won gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
