U.S. women's national team star Naomi Gilma has signed with Chelsea.
Gilma makes his debut ahead of Chelsea's WSL match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The USWNT center back will immediately become one of the stars of the Women's Super League and European women's competition.
According to multiple reports, Chelsea paid a world record fee for a female footballer. According to "The Athletic" reporter Meg Linehan San Diego Waves star Girma's fee was $1.1 million on Tuesday.
The deal brought Chelsea two of the best centre-backs in the world: Gilma and Millie Bright.
(Related: PST talks Chelsea goals with Bronze, Bright )
The fee reportedly increased as two Champions League teams with American women's soccer stars - Chelsea and Lyon - competed for her signature. But Chelsea's Catarina Macario and Mia Fisher will get a familiar club team-mate, while Lindsay Horan and Sofia Huerta continue without Gilma Their UWCL journey.
The 24-year-old centre-back is considered by many to be the best centre-back in the world and has made 44 appearances for the national team at the age of 24. During her career, she won Olympic gold, the NWSL Shield, and the University Cup, not to mention a host of individual accolades, including being named to the 2004 FIFA Best Team.
There's no doubt this is a big deal for women's football, but what does it mean for the player and her two teams?
The National Women's Soccer League will now sell two of its most expensive players in history as Bay FC sell Racheal Kundananji to Real Madrid in 2024. Over the past five years or so, European club football has increased its focus on the women's game, and the Women's Super League in particular is looking to become the best women's football league in the world. Most USWNT players play club football domestically, but Gilma will bring the number of active USWNT stars in Europe to nearly 10. This will also increase the price of bringing top players to the NWSL.
In this writer's opinion, Gilma is the best centre-back in the world, with almost any pundit around the world placing her at least alongside new club teammate Millie Bright (England) and Barcelona's Irene Paredes (Spain) ) are grouped into one category. Sonia Bompastor will be honing her skills against the strong as she looks to lead Chelsea to a UWCL and WSL double. The Women's Champions League knockout draw will take place on February 7, with Chelsea retaining their lead at the top of the WSL standings as they bid for a sixth successive title and retain their first-year crown without USWNT coach Emma Hayes.