Naomi Girma has made history as the most expensive female footballer in the world. The 24-year-old defender’s £900,000 transfer from San Diego Wave to Chelsea has broken the previous transfer record, marking a major milestone in women’s football.
Naomi, born and raised in San Jose, California, is the first player of Ethiopian descent to represent the US women’s national team. Her parents, Girma Aweke and Seble Demissie, emigrated to the United States in their twenties. “Ethiopian heritage—the food, the language, the community—has always been a big part of me,” she shared with BBC Sport. “It’s important for me to be clear about where I’m from and to inspire other first-generation kids …”
Naomi’s love for football began with her father, who founded a grassroots football club, Maleda Soccer, in San Jose. From there, Naomi’s journey took her to Central Valley Crossfire, the Olympic Development Program, and Stanford University, where her stellar performances propelled her into the professional ranks.
Naomi’s rise in football has been rapid. After an outstanding stint with Stanford, she was selected as the first pick in the 2022 NWSL draft by San Diego Wave. Her debut year was marked by accolades, including being named rookie of the year and NWSL defender of the year for both 2022 and 2023. In 2023, she was also named the USA’s female player of the year and was nominated for the FIFA Best Women’s Player of the Year and the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2024.
Her international career has been just as impressive, with Naomi playing every minute of the 2024 Olympics as the United States claimed gold in Paris.
Naomi’s move to Chelsea is the next step in what is shaping up to be one of the brightest careers in women’s football.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cvgm47e0pdjo