Naomi Girma: American Professional Soccer Player
Macro Creator — Soccer & SportsProfessional Soccer Player
A 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist and two-time NWSL Defender of the Year, Naomi Girma became the most expensive player in women's soccer history when she signed with Chelsea for a reported $1.1 million transfer fee.
About Naomi Girma: American Professional Soccer Player
Naomi Girma was born June 14, 2000, in San Jose, California, to Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrant parents, and played college soccer for Stanford from 2018 to 2021, captaining the Cardinal to the 2019 NCAA national championship. San Diego Wave FC selected her first overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and she immediately won NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year, repeating as Defender of the Year the following season while helping San Diego win the 2023 NWSL Shield. Girma made her senior USWNT debut in 2022 and became a defensive anchor for the national team, winning the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, and gold with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2025, she signed with Chelsea for a reported $1.1 million transfer fee, setting a new world record for the most expensive transfer in women's soccer history.
Career Journey
NCAA champion captain at Stanford
Girma captained the Stanford Cardinal to the 2019 NCAA Division I women's soccer national championship.
No. 1 NWSL draft pick and Rookie of the Year
San Diego Wave FC selected Girma first overall in the NWSL Draft, and she won both Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year in her debut season.
Paris Olympic gold
Girma won gold with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics after also winning the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup.
World-record transfer to Chelsea
Girma signed with Chelsea for a reported $1.1 million transfer fee, a new world record for women's soccer.
Top Categories
Achievements & Milestones
Media & Features
Photo Gallery
FAQs
Who is Naomi Girma?
Naomi Girma (born June 14, 2000) is an American soccer player and center back for Chelsea and the U.S. women's national team, a 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist.
What transfer record does Naomi Girma hold?
In 2025, she signed with Chelsea for a reported $1.1 million transfer fee, setting a new world record for the most expensive transfer in women's soccer history.
What NWSL awards has Naomi Girma won?
She won NWSL Rookie of the Year and was named NWSL Defender of the Year in both of her first two seasons with the San Diego Wave.
Latest News
Girma continues starring for Chelsea in the Women's Super League and the U.S. women's national team, remaining one of the sport's top defenders after her world-record transfer in 2025.