Naomi Grima at the Center of Record-Breaking Transfer Deal
In a ground-breaking move for women’s soccer, Naomi Grima has swapped her San Diego Wave jersey for that of Chelsea FC for a $1.1 million transfer deal. Grima is a highly regarded American soccer player, known for her exceptional defense, and is widely recognized as one of the best center-backs in women's soccer. During the 2025 transfer window, she made the leap to Chelsea FC in the FA Women’s Super League or WSL, marking an exciting new chapter in her career. This transfer to the English powerhouse reflects her impact on the women’s soccer world, and with it came a new open door for elite women’s soccer players.
Naomi Girma’s entry into the transfer window became one of the most highly contested battles in women’s soccer. Three of Europe’s elite clubs — Arsenal, Lyon, and Chelsea — were all looking to get Grima’s name on their roster. These clubs knew that in order to get even the slightest bit of attention from Grima and the San Diego Wave they needed to go big. Arsenal and Lyon got their foot in the door with a staggering one million dollar offer. This was huge in itself. This was the first time in women's soccer history that a million-dollar offer had been made. Let alone by two clubs at the same time. Prior to the battle for Girma, the highest offer towards any women's soccer player belonged to Racheal Kundananji with a transfer fee of $860,000 to Bay FC. The competition for Girma highlighted her value as a player and the demand for top talent. It was Chelsea who ultimately won the race with the $1.1 million deal; Arsenal and Lyon couldn't compete.
The U.S. Women's National Team continues to produce stars in all aspects of the game and Naomi Grima is the epitome of that legacy. Grima has now set a new precedent for the value of top-tier players in the women’s game. Girma's journey from San Diego Wave to Chelsea highlights the increasing investments in women’s soccer and other women’s sports. As she takes the field for Chelsea, there is no doubt that Girma’s influence will be felt on the international stage, reinforcing her place among the world’s best.
