San Diego Wave set to sell Naomi Girma to Chelsea for record transfer fee
Credit: Tammy Ryan/EVT Sports
With an official statement still pending from the club, the San Diego Wave are set to sell Naomi Girma to Chelsea.
The star defender and fan favorite is reported to be sold for $1.1 million to the Women’s Super League side, which is a women’s football record fee.
In the last few months, San Diego has lost the pillars that made up this team in the initial years of its existence. Abby Dahlkemper left before last season concluded, Alex Morgan retired, Jaedyn Shaw was traded, and now Naomi Girma will be sold.
There is a clear transitional phase within the Wave since last season, but this has been more of a dismantlement than a transition. Unfortunately, the Wave was plagued by off-the-field controversies last season that seemed to have spilled onto on-field decisions and consequences.
Girma was the Wave’s best player in a very lackluster 2024 season, but she still played like one of the best defenders in the world. There was also a clear connection between the young center-back and the Wave fan base, as several fans have already displayed their complaints and concerns online.
The Wave went from having a core of USWNT stars to all of those players not being on the roster now. Since Casey Stoney’s departure, the San Diego Wave has shown instability, and the future seems that way with all of these significant roster moves.
At 24 years old, Naomi Girma will be taking a big leap in trying to face new challenges in European soccer. While the NWSL competitiveness is extremely high, Europe offers new challenges for her career like competing in the Champions League against top sides.
The San Jose, Calif. native will also have the immense pressure accompanied with her transfer fee to perform immediately.
Wave’s backline was lost whenever Girma was not on the field and there will need to be a key signing to try and fill that massive gap left behind.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.