Chelsea have signed highly rated United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for a reported world-record fee of around £900,000.

The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Women's Super League leaders after they fought off competition from Lyon for her signature.

Girma was an Olympic gold medallist with the USA last year, helping the Stars and Stripes keep clean sheets in their quarter-final, semi-final and final victories.

The centre-back was paraded at Stamford Bridge ahead of the Blues' WSL clash with Arsenal.

"I'm so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn't feel real," she told Chelsea's official website. "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."

Girma was named US Soccer's female player of the year after helping San Diego to the National Women's Soccer League Shield in 2023.

The defender won the most possession in the defensive third (304), and made the joint-most progressive ball carries (548) in the NWSL between her debut in May 2022 and the end of last season.

Girma also played a starring role during the USA's Olympic triumph, registering more passes (610), carries (200) and clearances (31) than any other player during the tournament, as well as the best pass accuracy (95%).

"Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career," added Paul Green, Chelsea's head of women's football.

"Her composure on the ball, ability to read the game, coupled with her pace and athleticism, will add top quality to an already very talented squad.

"She is undoubtedly ready for this next step in her career, and we are delighted it will be with Chelsea."