6 hours Ago By Anthony Wood
The soon-to-be most expensive women’s soccer star in history, Naomi Girma , has a major fan in US Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes . Girma is reportedly on the cusp of a major move from National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave to Chelsea of the Women’s Super League. The London-based blues are said to have agreed to a deal worth around $1.
1 million, which would make Girma the first women’s player to cost seven figures, as per The Athletic . Former Chelsea boss Hayes, who took over the USWNT position in May 2024, has had the opportunity to work up close and personal with Girma over the course of the last year, and it’s safe to say the 24-year-old has left a mark. “Look, she's the best defender I've ever seen,” Hayes said in August, via ESPN .
“I've never seen a player as good as her at the back. She's got everything, poise, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. [She's] unbelievable.
” Hayes’ analysis is well backed by Girma’s seemingly endless accomplishments. A NCAA Champion and two-time All-Pac-12 First Teamer and Pac-12 Defender of the Year while at Stanford, the Californian went on to build upon her successful collegiate career in the pros. Named the NWSL’s Rookie of the Year in 2022, Girma is also a two-time NWSL Defender of the Year award winner.
Her success has also seen her gain great acclaim outside of the US, being named to the Best FIFA Women’s 11 in 2024 alongside compatriots Lindsey Horan and Alyssa Naeher. "I think the world of Naomi," Naeher said. "I think she plays just with a calmness and a steadiness and she reminds me a lot of (two-time World Cup winner) Becky [Sauerbrunn] honestly - just [her] demeanor and the way she goes about and carries herself and digs in deep and gets the job done.
" Girma’s time working with Hayes has also proved hugely successful on the field, with Team USA having beaten Brazil 1-0 to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Hayes was later named the Best FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year. Assuming Girma’s transfer goes through as expected, she’ll be joining a Chelsea side with the highest of expectations.
The reigning WSL champions, Chelsea will be looking to win their sixth consecutive title this season - which would also be their ninth title in 11 years. With a game against Durham on January 22 next on the schedule, Chelsea will be aiming to extend their seven-point lead at the top of the WSL ahead of Girma’s arrival. Depending on when her transfer is completed, Girma could make her debut on January 22 against second-placed Arsenal.
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