Chelsea signs American player Germa in record deal for women’s football
Chelsea FC has agreed on a record transfer deal for American player Naomi Germa, according to media reports.
Germa (24) will join Chelsea, the reigning Super League champions, from San Diego Wave for $1.1 million, surpassing the previous record of $862,000 for the transfer of Rachel Condonangi to Bayern FC in February 2024.
The British news agency PA Media reported that Germa will be the first deal to exceed $1 million in women’s football, with Chelsea securing her after fierce competition from French club Olympique Lyon.
This deal also marks the first signing for Chelsea’s head coach Sonia Bompastor during the January transfer window, compensating for the absence of player Kadisha Buchanan for the remainder of the season after an ACL injury.
This transfer also surpasses the British record set by Chelsea when they signed Mayra Ramirez, a forward from Levante, for £384,000 a year ago.
Germa made her international debut with the U.S. team during the 2023 World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the round of 16. She played a crucial role in the U.S. winning the Olympic gold in Paris and was also named the best American female footballer in 2024.
Chelsea leads the English Women’s Super League by seven points over Arsenal, ahead of the two teams facing off at Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
