US Women’s National soccer team defender, Naomi Girma, set a record for the most expensive transfer in women’s soccer history on Jan. 26. 

Girma transferred from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, San Diego Wave, to the number one ranked Women’s Super League team, Chelsea F.C. for $1.1 million. 

Girma’s transfer shows the uprising of women’s pay in sports and the decrease in the pay gap between male and female sports. 

“Hopefully it starts the upward trend [for equal pay], I think it’s been a long time coming,” Michaela Leavitt, JHS JV girls soccer coach, said.

Many times, people overlook the responsibility and talent of defenders. Since Girma is a defender, her transfer shows that she has great abilities.

“I like that she’s a defender because it shows that they’re not just gonna pay their scorers,” Leavitt said.

Girma, at only 24 years old, has already made many accomplishments. In 2023, Girma was named the U.S. Soccer women’s player of the year. According to ESPN’s 2024 FC Women’s Rank: Top 50 soccer players of 2024, Girma was ranked number two, right behind Spain National Team midfielder Aitana Bonmatí whose salary was around $800,000.

Girma also made an impact in the 2024 Olympics, where she played for the entirety of the six matches for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT), to help her team reach gold. Along with this, last year, Girma helped the USWNT achieve the record of 18-1-4.

“[Girma is] the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever. I’ve never seen a player as good as her in the back,” Emma Hayes, USWNT head coach, said in an interview with ESPN. 

Many people are excited to watch Girma play on this new team. Girma’s transfer is the beginning of the hopes of an uprising in women’s sports pay.