As rumors continue to swirl about Naomi Girma’s future in San Diego, the Wave signed another player who could one day replace her on the back line.

U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year nominee Trinity Armstrong and the Wave agreed Thursday to a three-year contract. The National Women’s Soccer League did away with its draft in favor of a free-agent signing system; had there still been one, a source said, Armstrong would have been one of the top players available.

The 17-year-old Armstrong comes to San Diego following one season at the University of North Carolina, where she won an NCAA Championship.

“Trinity is an incredible young talent and we are thrilled she has decided to take the next step in her career with us here at the Wave,” said San Diego Wave General Manager and Sporting Director Camille Ashton. “She had incredible success this year at the collegiate level and on the international stage and we are so excited about her future in San Diego.”

The timing of Armstrong’s signing is unrelated, a source said, to the persistent rumors that Girma, America’s top defender, could be sold to a foreign club. ESPN reported Thursday that Chelsea is “leading the race” to sign Girma away from the Wave, and that Arsenal is also interested. A source told ESPN that the Wave could receive a record $1 million in transfer fees in exchange for the star defender.

Likewise, Girma could more than double her salary by signing overseas. NWSL teams are beholden to a salary cap, with this year’s figure set at $3.3 million per team.

Armstrong started every game for the Tar Heels, helping anchor a unit that allowed 0.81 goals per game. She played every minute in UNC’s national title win over Wake Forest.

She has received national attention. Armstrong was recently named one of five nominees for U.S. Soccer’s Young Female Player of the Year award. The honor is given annually to someone who has participated in a USA Women’s Youth National Team training camp. Former Wave midfielder Jaedyn Shaw won the award in 2022.