San Jose native Naomi Girma is headed overseas for a record-setting price.
London-based club Chelsea is paying the San Diego Wave $1.1 million for Girma’s transfer.
She requested the transfer to the English side, where she can make far more than the $200,000 to $500,000 top players make in the NWSL, per the San Diego Tribune.
French powerhouse Lyon also had an interest in Girma and was willing to part with close to $1 million as well, per The Athletic.
She is joining the best team in England, as Chelsea is currently top of the Women’s Super League table and has won 10 of 11 matches this season.
Girma grew up in San Jose and attended Pioneer High School before becoming a standout at Stanford. She was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NWSL draft and has won the league’s defender of the year award in each of her first two seasons.
The center back dominated the international stage during the United States national team’s run last summer to winning an Olympic gold medal.
“It’s just such a joy to be able to watch her, and I can say — without hyperbole — that she is the best center back in the world,” former USWNT star Danielle Slaton told the Bay Area News Group during the Olympic tournament.
Girma’s national team coach, Emma Hayes, had even higher praise for the exceptional defender.
“She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen,” Hayes said.