Naomi Girma, 24, has become the most expensive female footballer in the world following her £900,000 move from San Diego Wave to Chelsea, breaking the previous transfer record. Her rise from playing college football just three years ago to global stardom is remarkable. Here are key highlights of her journey.
Born in San Jose, California, Naomi Girma is the first player of Ethiopian descent to represent the US women’s national team. Her parents, who emigrated from Ethiopia in their twenties, instilled in her a deep connection to her heritage. Girma credits her Ethiopian roots, culture and community for shaping her identity and aims to inspire the next generation by being a role model for immigrant and first-generation children.
Girma’s passion for football began with her father, who founded Maleda Soccer, a grassroots club in San Jose. It was there, playing recreationally, that she developed her love for the game. Her talent took her to Central Valley Crossfire where she joined the Olympic Development Program followed by stints with Pioneer High School and Stanford University.
While at Stanford, Girma became best friends with goalkeeper Katie Meyer. Meyer’s tragic death by suicide in 2022 inspired Girma to advocate for mental health awareness. Partnering with Common Goal, she launched “Create The Space,” a movement focused on making football a psychologically safe environment for all.
Since being the first pick in the 2022 NWSL draft, Girma has excelled. She won rookie of the year and back-to-back NWSL defender of the year awards. In 2024, she played every minute as the US secured Olympic gold in Paris.
Accolades include being named USA’s female player of the year in 2023 and earning nominations for FIFA and BBC awards. Girma’s story highlights talent, resilience and her dedication to making a difference both on and off the pitch.
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