West Ham defender Selin Cemal has joined Aberdeen on loan for the full 2026/27 season. The 19-year-old becomes part of a triple addition announced before Aberdeen’s opening SWPL match, alongside forward Briana Salvetti and attacking midfielder Lola Nesbeth. All three moves remain subject to international clearance.
Cemal will also reunite with fellow West Ham player Katie O’Hanlon, who is spending the season on loan with the Scottish club.
Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Selin Cemal
- Age: 19
- Position: Defender
- Parent club: West Ham United
- Loan club: Aberdeen
- Transfer type: Season-long loan
- Duration: 2026/27 season
- West Ham appearances: Four
- International team: Türkiye youth international
- Status: Subject to international clearance
Why Cemal Needs the Aberdeen Loan
Selin Cemal joined West Ham in 2025 after developing within the academy systems at Chelsea and Arsenal. Her first season with the Hammers brought an introduction to senior football. She made her debut against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup in September 2025 and later appeared in the WSL against Everton.
Four appearances across all competitions represented useful progress, but not enough football to establish her at senior level. Aberdeen can offer Cemal the possibility of turning those isolated opportunities into a more continuous role.
The move should test her across a full campaign rather than occasional cup and league appearances. She will need to compete for selection, adjust to a new competition and take on greater responsibility within a young squad.
What Cemal Can Bring to Aberdeen
Aberdeen’s head of women’s and girls’ football, Nathan Flight, highlighted three areas of Cemal’s game: her consistency, ability to play line-breaking passes and strength in individual defensive situations.
Those qualities suggest Aberdeen expect her to contribute both with and without possession.
“Selin is a consistent defender who is comfortable playing line-breaking passes whilst being a good 1v1 defender,” Flight said. “Leadership and communication are key parts of her game, with these skills proving very valuable to our group.”
Her international experience adds to that profile. Selin Cemal has represented Türkiye at Under-19 level and received her first call-up to the country’s Under-23 squad in November 2025.
The presence of O’Hanlon should also make the transition easier. Both players remain connected to West Ham while gaining experience together in Aberdeen’s senior environment.
Salvetti and Nesbeth Complete Triple Signing
Aberdeen have also strengthened further forward with the additions of Briana Salvetti and Lola Nesbeth.
Salvetti moves from the United States after four years with Saint Mary’s College of California. The 5ft 9in forward was selected for the All-WCC Second Team in 2023 and arrives with a reputation for intelligent attacking movement and a strong work rate.
Nesbeth joins following her departure from Chelsea. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder previously spent time in Arsenal’s academy and was part of Chelsea’s FA Youth Cup-winning Under-16 side.
She is also a senior Jamaica international, having made her debut for the Reggae Girlz in late 2025. Aberdeen believe her ability to receive the ball under pressure and create through her passing can improve their attacking play.
The three signings address different areas of the squad immediately before the new season. Salvetti adds a forward presence, Nesbeth brings creativity and Selin Cemal strengthens the defence.
For West Ham, the measure of Cemal’s loan will be whether she returns with the evidence that four senior appearances could not provide: the consistency and authority developed through playing week after week.
Source: West Ham United
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