While Chelsea and the Wave have not released a figure, previous reports pegged the transfer fee at $1.1 million. That money could cover one-third of the Wave’s 2025 payroll. The National Women’s Soccer League caps payrolls at $3.3 million per team per year; top players make between $200,000 and $500,000 per season.

Women’s soccer has its first million-dollar player after United States defender Naomi Girma moved from San Diego Wave to Chelsea on Sunday. Chelsea announced the signing of Girma without disclosing the fee but The Athletic and the BBC were among those reporting the English champions have spent 900,

It’s been five days since the news of Chelsea Women signing one of the world’s best defenders, Naomi Girma, from National Women’s Soccer League club San Diego Wave broke out. The lack of updates may have made us worry that the world-record deal could be in the process of falling off.

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.

With an official statement still pending from the club, the San Diego Wave are set to sell Naomi Girma to Chelsea. The star defender and fan favorite is reported to be sold for $1.1 million to the Women’s Super League side, which is a women’s football record fee.

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;

Chelsea Women are closing in on a world-record deal for USA defender Naomi Girma. The Blues are set to pay around £890,000 for Girma, which will make her the most expensive player in the history of the women’s game.

United States defender Naomi Girma has become women’s soccer’s first million-dollar player. Who else is on the list of most expensive transfers?