Chelsea are closing in on the signing of San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma for a world-record fee exceeding $1 million.

In soccer, defenders struggle to achieve the kinds of milestones that put them in the conversation as their sport’s best player. Their teammates are almost all better positioned for statistical records: goals scored by forwards,

Chelsea have reportedly agreed to pay the San Diego Wave a record-setting $1.1 million transfer fee for USWNT star defender Naomi Girma, per Meg Linehan

San Diego Wave and American international center-back Naomi Girma agreed to move to English side Chelsea for a world-record women's transfer fee of $1.1 million, The Athletic's Meg Linehan reported Tuesday.

Girma, one of the best center backs in the world, will head to Chelsea in exchange for a record $1.1 million transfer fee. Chelsea, Arsenal and Lyon had all reportedly shown interest in acquiring the 24-year-old defender, per ESPN; in the end, Chelsea won out.

A world-record deal of around £890,000 ($1.1m) has been agreed for Chelsea to sign defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave; the current record is £695,000 ($860,000) when Racheal Kundananji moved to Bay FC from Madrid CFF;

Chelsea are leading the race to sign San Diego Wave centre-back Naomi Girma, while Arsenal and Lyon are also interested in the United States women's national team star, sources have told ESPN.

English champion Chelsea is finalizing a transfer for United States women’s national team defender Naomi Girma from the NWSL’s San Diego Wave FC, sources confirmed to The Equalizer. Chelsea is expected to pay a fee of over $1 million for Girma,

Chelsea Women have reportedly agreed a deal to sign San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma for a world record soccer transfer fee of $1.1 million (€1.06m). Girma, 24, is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in women’s football and Chelsea are on the verge of confirming her arrival for a new transfer record.

San Diego Wave and USWNT defender Naomi Girma is closing in on a record $1.1 million transfer to Chelsea, per a report from The Athletic.