Girma, 24, is widely regarded as the world's best centre-back (and finished No. 2 in ESPN's list of the 50 best female players in November), but nobody would have expected a defender to be the one to break the record.
Upon joining, ahead of the game against Arsenal, she told the club website: "I'm so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn't feel real. There are a lot of things about Chelsea that made me want to come here -- the culture, the winning mentality, staff and players. It's a top environment to learn and grow in. Right now, that's what I'm looking to do. It was an easy choice for me."
So, how did this megadeal come about? Tom Hamilton, Emily Keogh and Jeff Carlisle analyse the biggest transfer in women's soccer.
A long-standing interest
Chelsea had long-standing interest in signing Girma, and former Chelsea boss and current USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is on record as saying she is the "best defender I've ever seen." But while the club never made a move while Hayes was in charge, they saw an opportunity to pounce during this window and took it.
Following Kadeisha Buchanan's ACL injury, Chelsea were looking to bolster their resources at centre-back. For a team who are dominating the Women's Super League (WSL) under new boss Sonia Bompastor (with 10 wins and one draw from 11 games -- and a six-point lead at the top of the table) it might seem odd to splash so much money on one player, but Girma is only 24 years old and has the potential to be a cornerstone of this Chelsea team for the next decade, while also stepping in as a long-term replacement for 31-year-old club legend Millie Bright.
The Blues will make Girma one of the highest-paid players in the WSL and that is why they were able to beat competition for her signature from both Arsenal and Lyon. A source told ESPN that one reason Arsenal backed out of the deal was because of her expected wage demands, but the club was also unwilling to break the world record for the transfer fee. Once Chelsea made it clear they could offer her what she wanted, the rest was simple. -- Tom Hamilton
A clear preference amid other offers
Arsenal had also shown a long-standing interest in Girma -- ironically under Jonas Eidevall, who is now the coach of the Wave -- but when it came down to the final stages of negotiations it never truly felt that they were in serious contention. And when the time came for Girma to make a decision, Arsenal were not among the final candidates, despite their desire to strengthen their defensive options.
According to sources close to the situation, Girma had a clear preference for Chelsea as she considered her next move. She engaged in discussions with key figures who could offer insight, including Hayes, to gather opinions about signing with the West London club. And while Arsenal showed interest throughout the process, Girma's inclination toward Chelsea was evident from the start.
However, Lyon were a highly competitive option when they entered the race late on. Known for their storied history in women's football and consistent dominance in Europe (with a record eight UEFA Champions League titles since 2011), the French giants presented an enticing opportunity for Girma to compete at the highest level. With owner Michele Kang's substantial financial backing, Lyon were also well-equipped to handle the significant transfer fee and wage demands associated with acquiring a player of Girma's calibre.
In the end, Lyon and Chelsea made bids of $1.1m to sign her, though according to a source close to the negotiations, both clubs were keen to avoid the deal escalating into a full-scale bidding war.
For Lyon, the pursuit was not just about adding another talented defender to their ranks but also about maintaining their reputation as a powerhouse in women's football and remain competitive in a transfer market that has seen increasing activity in recent years.
A source said that, above all, Girma was drawn to Chelsea's dynamic and ambitious environment, as well as the opportunity to work under a team with a growing dominance in Europe. It was Chelsea's vision and appeal that aligned more closely with Girma's personal and professional aspirations. And that's why she chose them. -- Emily Keogh
Source: ESPN