Viviane Asseyi has signed a two-year contract extension with West Ham United, keeping the France international in east London until the summer of 2028.
The 32-year-old has recorded 32 goals and 17 assists across 108 appearances since arriving from Bayern Munich in 2022. She currently holds the second-highest appearance total for West Ham Women since the club turned professional in 2018.
Asseyi could now become the team’s record appearance holder during the coming season. She needs another 23 matches to move ahead of Kate Longhurst, but her new contract carries greater significance than the pursuit of an individual milestone.
West Ham have added Ebony Salmon and Kelly Gago to their attack this summer. Retaining Asseyi ensures head coach Rita Guarino can introduce those new options around a forward who already understands the club, the league and the demands of her system.
Contract Snapshot
- Player: Viviane Asseyi
- Age: 32
- Position: Forward
- Club: West Ham United
- New contract: Until summer 2028
- Joined West Ham: 2022
- Appearances: 108
- Goals: 32
- Assists: 17
- Appearance ranking: Second since West Ham Women turned professional
- Distance from club record: 23 appearances
- Individual award: 2024/25 Hammer of the Year
Why Asseyi Remains So Important to West Ham
Asseyi has been one of West Ham’s most dependable attacking players throughout her four seasons in England. She produced seven goals and four assists in 29 appearances during her first campaign, featuring in every WSL match. She maintained that ever-present league record the following season and added another six top-flight goals.
Her most productive year arrived in 2024/25. Asseyi contributed 13 goals and seven assists across all competitions and was named West Ham’s Hammer of the Year.
Last season brought another five goals and five assists. That return included a stoppage-time winner against Brighton in February, completing a comeback from 2-0 down in one of West Ham’s most memorable performances of the campaign.
The individual seasons have differed, but Asseyi’s availability and attacking contribution have remained unusually steady. That reliability gives Guarino a known reference point while other parts of the forward line change.
A New-Look West Ham Attack
The arrivals of Salmon and Gago should reduce the need for West Ham to rely on one attacker to provide goals, creativity and movement.
Salmon brings speed and the ability to threaten space behind a defence. Gago provides another physical and technical option across the forward line. Viviane Asseyi’s versatility and familiarity with the WSL can help bring those profiles together.
The France international has already spoken positively about their first weeks of training. “We understand football the same, and I think that’s important,” Asseyi said. “They’ve brought something new, but something good to help the team.”
The challenge for Guarino will be finding combinations that make West Ham less predictable. Asseyi can operate across the attack, score herself and create for teammates, giving the coach flexibility over who leads the line and who attacks from wider positions.
Her role may evolve as the new signings settle, but the renewal confirms she remains central to the plan.
More Than a Sentimental Extension
Asseyi’s connection with West Ham and its supporters featured prominently in the club’s announcement. She described east London as home and said feeling valued made extending her stay an easy decision.
Those emotional ties matter, especially for a player approaching the club’s appearance record. They are not the sole justification for a contract through 2028.
Viviane Asseyi continues to produce. Her 49 direct goal contributions across 108 matches amount to almost one goal or assist every two appearances, while her ability to remain available has given West Ham continuity through managerial and squad changes. Guarino also values the forward’s influence away from matchdays.
“She is an experienced player who brings so much quality to our attacking play,” the West Ham head coach said. “She is an important player for us, both on and off the pitch.”
For a squad integrating several new arrivals, retaining players capable of setting standards and helping teammates adapt has practical value.
A Chance to Set a New West Ham Record
Asseyi became only the third West Ham Women player to reach 100 appearances after the club’s move into the professional game.
With 108 matches completed, she sits 23 appearances away from overtaking Longhurst as the record holder. A relatively healthy season could therefore take her to the top of the list before the first year of her new contract is complete.
Asseyi insists the record did not influence her decision to stay. Her focus is on helping West Ham climb the WSL table and progress further in the domestic cups.
West Ham retained their WSL status after Guarino arrived during last season, but survival alone is not the objective for the next phase. The club have strengthened the attack and now need greater consistency across a full campaign.
Keeping Asseyi provides continuity. Adding Salmon and Gago creates more choice. Guarino’s task is to turn those resources into a team capable of moving away from the lower end of the table.
Asseyi Can Define West Ham’s Next Chapter
Four years after arriving from Bayern Munich, Asseyi has already secured a significant place in West Ham’s professional-era history.
Her new agreement gives her the opportunity to add two more seasons, become the club’s leading appearance maker and help a changing attack produce better collective results.
West Ham are not keeping Asseyi simply because of what she has already achieved. They are backing her to remain productive while the team around her develops.
The appearance record may arrive first. The more meaningful target is ensuring her next West Ham milestone coincides with progress on the pitch.
Source: West Ham United
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