The 24-year-old joined the Blues on a four-and-a-half-year deal from San Diego Wave last week, a transfer which made her the most expensive women's player in the world.

The defender has now spent her first day at our training base in Cobham, getting to work on the grass and in the gym as she looks to return to full fitness having been out of domestic action since her NWSL campaign ended in early November.

'Everyone has been so friendly and so welcoming which has been great,' Girma said. 'It's just nice to finally be here.

'It has been fun. The other players are just catching me up on where little things are and what I need to do. I'm really grateful for that. It feels like I've been waiting to get here, so now it feels great to finally be in.'

'I'm feeling good,' Girma continued. 'I'm working towards being fully fit, but the team here have been great and making sure they have a plan for me to get back quickly but safely, too.'

The USA international was unveiled as a Blue ahead of our London derby clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. It was an occasion to remember with her being announced, a record crowd for a WSL match in SW6 and Sonia Bompastor's side prevailing with a win.

'It was amazing,' the defender reflected. 'The atmosphere, the fans and the game, just all of it made it a great day. It made me even more excited to be a Chelsea player.'

It has been a rollercoaster week for Girma, making the move to play club football outside of the United States for the first time in her career.

She admits being a Blue has not quite sunk in yet, but the defender is enjoying being at Cobham with her new team-mates.

'Not fully!' Girma said. 'But, things definitely feel more real now, just having the kit on and coming into the facility. It feels more like normal life.'