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.

Chelsea has stuck a deal to acquire San Diego Wave and U.S. defender Naomi Girma, a person with knowledge of the transfer agreement told AP.

U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma is the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer history. San Diego Wave FC and Chelsea FC announced their deal on Sunday as Girma is now part of the London giants,