Tom Hamilton
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Tom Hamilton
Senior writer
- • Joined ESPN in 2011
• Competed in two Olympic Games, two Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tournaments
• He was previously rugby editor and became senior writer in 2018Emily Keogh
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Emily Keogh
Correspondent
Chelsea are getting close to signing Wave in San Diego central defender Naomi Girma for a world-record fee, sources tell ESPN.
The transfer fee will make Girma the first player to break the $1 million mark in the women’s game.
The story was first reported by ESPN Last week, Chelsea showed interest in Girma Arsenal AND Lyons also willing to sign United States star of the women’s national team. ESPN was also first to report that this would likely be the first $1 million transfer fee in women’s soccer.
It is believed that 24-year-old Girma agreed to an agreement with Chelsea before the move. She had a contract until 2026 with NWSL franchise, but Chelsea will pay a record fee to secure his services.
Girma is one of the highest-rated defenders of her generation and played a key role in the USWNT winning gold at the Paris Olympics, with manager Emma Hayes describing her as “the best defender I have ever seen.”
Soni Bompastor’s Chelsea are looking to strengthen their centre-back options after the Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Sources tell ESPN that the Wave were keen on trading players as part of the deal, and that option was still being considered at the beginning of the week. However, Chelsea is ready to cross the seven-figure mark to sign one of the best players in the world.
The world record for the highest transfer fee in women’s football is held by: Racheal What’s going on? Who transferred to Bay FC With Madrid CFF for $787,600.
