What Naomi Girma’s record $1.1 million transfer to Chelsea means for NWSL

2025-01-27

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It's an emergency episode of Full Time. On Sunday, Chelsea officially announced the transfer of U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave for a record fee of $1.1 million. Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan break down the deal, from the timeline of Girma's transfer request to the chain reaction around the globe. Jessy Parker Humphreys joins from Stamford Bridge where Girma was unveiled ahead of Chelsea's WSL match against Arsenal. Then, Matt Sl...

It's an emergency episode of Full Time.

On Sunday, Chelsea officially announced the transfer of U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave for a record fee of $1.1 million.

Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan break down the deal, from the timeline of Girma's transfer request to the chain reaction around the globe.

Jessy Parker Humphreys joins from Stamford Bridge where Girma was unveiled ahead of Chelsea's WSL match against Arsenal. Then, Matt Slater unpacks the business and economics of this historic transfer.

Before closing out, Tamerra and Meg discuss listeners' burning questions about the stunning move, and what it means to see one of the biggest USWNT players leave the NWSL.

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Articles mentioned on the show:

Chelsea and San Diego finalizing record $1.1 million transfer for USWNT’s Naomi Girma: Sources

USWNT’s Naomi Girma completes Chelsea move for record transfer fee in women’s soccer

The first $1m female footballer will be a defender and that feels just right

USWNT defender Naomi Girma as $1m transfer pioneer should surprise nobody

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Jessy Parker Humphreys, Matt Slater

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen