Naomi Gilma, USWNT defender, has completed the transition from San Diego's wave to Chelsea, the most expensive transfer in women's soccer.
Athletic Earlier this week, Chelsea reported that it had agreed on the waves and conditions of the transfer of Gilma at a record of $ 1.1 million, according to the information streamed about negotiations spoken in anonymous state.
The 24 -year -old had a contract in San Diego until 2026, so this transaction was required. As a result, she became a female soccer player of more than 1 million dollars.
The contract exceeded the record before Bay FC paid by Bay FC to Zambia Forward's Lachi -Kundanandanang from Madrid CFF in February 2024.
GIRMA gained a lot of interest from other locations in Europe, and eight European champion Lyon has made a $ 1 million offer.
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The first 1 million dollar women's soccer players have become defender and I feel just right
“I'm so happy to be here,” Gilma told the Chelsea website. “It's not real.
“Chelsea has a lot of things I want to come here, such as culture, victory mentality, staff, players, etc.. Learning and growing is the best environment.
“That's what I am trying to do now. It was a simple choice for me.”
Gilma was announced on the Stanford Bridge pitch prior to the game of the Women's Super League with Arsenal (Bradlly Coria/PA image via Getty Image).
The waves are ready to lose the center back of the 2025 season, and signed a 17 -year -old Trinity Armstrong from the University of North Carolina last week.
Gilma played at Stanford at the university level and then joined the waves as the first pick in the 2022 NWSL draft. She was nominated as NSWL Defender of the Year in 2022 and 2023, part of the waves that won the NWSL shield in 2023.
Chelsea added more depth in the center back after losing Canadian International Cadyab Canaanang in the front cruciate ligament (ACL) in December.
The Sonia Bonpaster team led the Women's Super League and advanced to the Knockout Stage of the Champions League.
Analysis from athletic senior soccer writer jetter
When the United States won the Olympic Gold in 2024, Gilma praised the praise as praised for the Sofia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Maroreis Wanson's side attack trio.
Even with modern indicators, it is difficult to quantify the scope of the value of the defender. Instead, the combination of data, items, and experts has helped to drive one point. Gilma immediately entered her best hierarchy.
“She is the best defender I have ever seen,” said Emma Hayes, a former US head coach, who was a former chelsea manager, after the Olympic semi -final victory. “So far, she has everything: calm, calm, she protects her, she expects, she leads.”
In the victory in Germany, Gilma had more completed paths than any other players tried. She always trapped German attackers when approaching the last third. She carried the ball 687 meters and 24 % of the USWNT's total distance, giving her teammates to move off -ball.
For now, Gilma is in her own class. She is the best player in her position in women's games around the world, with the estimation of many people. The status also involves her in a greater conversation about the great sports players. And in that respect, she is heading for the best in the history of USWNT.
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Who is Naomi Gilma? Uswnt defender that breaks the $ 1 million transfer mark by moving Chelsea
How is the GIRMA fee compared to other women's soccer?
The GIRMA fee is marked for the fourth time when a woman's transfer record was destroyed within three years. It was broken twice during the 2024 month.
This is the third time Chelsea has signed a female transfer record for women after adding Mailla Ramirez from Levante in 2022 and Volfsberg in 2020 in 2020.
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Analysis from athletic tactical writer Michael Cox
Usually, some games are needed to achieve the complete ability of the center back, but something about GIRMA is different. She seems to be a complete defender if she is a good reader of the game, covers the space behind and can fight physically without relying on physicality.
Perhaps the only thing she is missing is true aerial rule. At a height of 1.68m (5 feet 6 inches), she was not a towering presence, but only 51.5 % of NWSL last season. However, despite its relatively lack of air, the fact that she can dominate her penalty box is almost added to her aura.
He also talks about something about the development of women's whole game. Men's games steadily leave long balls and cross diets, but women's games have evolved in different ways and are based on ground attacks through techniques and speeds. For example, in the women's super league, for example, in the women's super league, there are only 75 % in the women's super league.
Of course, being the most valuable soccer player in the world has not been translated as a completely best soccer player. Still, I feel that the center back is unusually noticeable. Even before the GIRMA's movement, 10 out of the most expensive 50 expensive transfers in women's games were related to the defender, but only six of the most expensive top 50 transfers in male games. did.
Once, the next -generation soccer player may grow up with the desire to play in defense.
(Photo above: Luis Robayo/AFP Getty Images)
