While Chelsea and the Wave have not released a figure, previous reports pegged the transfer fee at $1.1 million. That money could cover one-third of the Wave’s 2025 payroll. The National Women’s Soccer League caps payrolls at $3.3 million per team per year; top players make between $200,000 and $500,000 per season.

Women's soccer has its first million-dollar player after United States defender Naomi Girma moved from San Diego Wave to Chelsea.

San Diego Wave FC is transferring U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma to Chelsea FC of the Women's Super League for a world-record transfer fee.