Naomi Girma ‘22 continues her meteoric rise to the upper echelons of women’s soccer. Just three years after graduating from Stanford, the 24-year-old has cemented herself into the history books, securing a record-breaking $1.1 million transfer deal to leave the San Diego Wave of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and join Chelsea F.C. in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL).
The deal makes Girma the first million-dollar transfer in women’s soccer history, breaking the previous record of $787,600 that Bay FC spent for Rachel Kundananji. It would also reunite Girma with former Cardinal teammate Catarina Macario ‘20.
For fans of women’s soccer, this should come as no surprise. Girma is widely regarded as one of — if not the best — defender in the world. Known for her poise, composure and leadership, she has become a generation-defining talent for the U.S. Women’s National Team, instrumental in the U.S. winning gold at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Before her already-decorated professional career, Girma was also a standout on The Farm. She started nearly every game as a freshman, and just a year later she would captain the Cardinal to the program’s third national championship. Add to that multiple All-American, All-Pac-12, and Pac-12 Defender of the Year honors, it was a no-brainer when San Diego selected Girma with the first overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
In the pros, Girma would pick up right where she left off in college, immediately winning NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year honors in her first season. Over the next two seasons, she helped the Wave win an NWSL Shield and a Challenge Cup while picking up another NWSL Defender of the Year award.
In just a few short years after leaving the Farm, Girma has quickly become one of soccer’s biggest talents. This historic transfer is just another achievement in her young but illustrious career.