WSL: Chelsea Secures Naomi Girma on Long-Term Contract
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Synopsis
Chelsea has signed Naomi Girma, a 24-year-old American defender from San Diego Wave, on a four-and-a-half-year contract. With her extensive experience and accolades, she is set to enhance Chelsea's defense as she embarks on her new journey in London.
Key Takeaways
- Naomi Girma joins Chelsea from San Diego Wave.
- She has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal.
- Girma played a crucial role in the USA's gold medal win at the 2024 Olympics.
- She was named US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in 2023.
- Paul Green highlights her as a world-class defender.
London, Jan 26 (NationPress) Chelsea has officially added Naomi Girma, a gifted defender from San Diego Wave, to their roster. The 24-year-old American international has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, bringing a significant amount of elite experience to London as she begins this exciting new chapter in her career.
Girma arrives at Chelsea after an illustrious journey. The defender has enjoyed both domestic and international accolades, achieving success with San Diego Wave and the US national team.
When joining the Blues, Girma expressed, “I’m incredibly happy and truly excited to be here. It feels surreal. There are numerous aspects about Chelsea that attracted me - the culture, the winning mindset, the staff, and the players. It’s a fantastic environment for growth and learning, which is precisely what I aim to do. It was an effortless decision for me.”
This summer was particularly memorable for Girma as she played every minute at the 2024 Olympics, where the USA, managed by former Blues coach Emma Hayes, secured the gold medal. This achievement followed her recognition as US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in 2023, during which she was a standout performer for her country at the World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand.
The 44-cap international initiated her senior career at Stamford University, where she played alongside Chelsea forward Catarina Macario. In 2019, Girma led the college team as captain to victory in the Women’s College Cup.
Paul Green, head of women’s football, commented, “Naomi is a world-class defender who is entering the prime years of her career. She has proven her talent in the NWSL, earning multiple individual accolades and excelling on the international stage for the USA, particularly during her gold medal win at the Olympics this summer. She is undoubtedly prepared for this next phase in her career, and we are thrilled it will be with Chelsea.”
In 2022, Girma was the top pick in the NWSL draft, chosen by the newly established San Diego Wave. She followed that up by being honored as Rookie of the Year in her debut season and claiming the NWSL Defender of the Year award.
Her accolades continued to accumulate during her second season as she played a crucial role in her club securing the NWSL Shield and was once again recognized as NWSL Defender of the Year for 2023. Additionally, Girma received a nomination for The Best FIFA Women’s Player award in 2024 and was included in The Best FIFA Women’s XI.
