Why Chelsea forked out a women's world-record fee to sign Naomi Girma - and how the American has Blues icon Emma Hayes raving over her
Why Chelsea forked out a women's world-record fee to sign Naomi Girma - and how the American has Blues icon Emma Hayes raving over her
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The match was deep into extra time when Alessia Russo, ball at her feet, surged towards the opposition’s goal. With only one defender left to beat, the outcome seemed inevitable - get past her and her side would inevitably be crowned champions. That defender though was Naomi Girma, Chelsea's new $1.1million (£890,000) signing. Keeping her balance, the centre-back stood tall as Russo advanced into the penalty area. Unfazed by Russo’s step over, Girma retained her balance and stuck out her left leg as the English striker got her shot away.
![[The Blues forked out £890,000 to sign the 24-year-old defender from San Diego Wave]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/20/94609887-0-image-m-22_1738095203382.jpg)
The ball flew off Girma's leg and out for a throw-in, and 20 minutes later she was celebrating Stanford University’s crowning moment, beating Russo’s North Carolina Tar Heels on penalties, the Stanford centre-back netting the third to pick up the 2019 College Cup.
![[Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, who manages Girma for the USA, called her the 'best defender I've ever seen']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/20/94610189-0-image-a-24_1738095328261.jpg)
After looking to the stands to where her family and friends were sat, many from South Bay’s Ethiopian community, Girma said, ‘That was, by far, the best moment of my life.’. It was game-changing moments like these that USA head coach Emma Hayes recognised in Girma, causing the former Chelsea boss to hail her as the ‘best defender I’ve ever seen’ after Girma played a pivotal role in securing the States a fifth Olympic gold in Paris last summer in Hayes’ first tournament in charge.
![[Girma has already amassed 44 caps for the United States since debuting in 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/20/94610091-0-image-a-25_1738095342486.jpg)
Girma was the only outfield player to feature in every minute of the campaign and completed more passes, more carries and more clearances than any other individual at the tournament, while her 95 per cent pass accuracy was also the highest by any player.
![[She came through the football programme at Stanford University before joining San Diego]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/20/94610099-0-image-a-26_1738095369060.jpg)
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