West Ham United’s signing of Kelly Gago is notable for one simple reason: they already know her game works in the Women’s Super League. Many forwards arrive in England carrying impressive records from abroad only to discover that the physicality, pace and intensity of the WSL require significant adjustment. Gago has already passed that test.
After joining Everton in January 2025, the France international adapted quickly and became one of the club’s most effective attacking players. By the time West Ham moved for her this summer, they were not evaluating a striker based on what she had achieved in France or Italy. They were evaluating a striker who had already shown she could trouble WSL defenders.
Rita Guarino Has Been Watching For Years
The connection between Kelly Gago and West Ham did not begin this summer. Head coach Rita Guarino first took notice of the striker during her spell in Italy, where Gago scored 15 goals in 30 appearances for Parma. Guarino has openly spoken about following her progress ever since, making this one of the more deliberate signings of West Ham’s transfer window.
Rather than reacting to a short run of form, West Ham appear to have tracked a player across multiple leagues and environments. Gago did not simply continue scoring after leaving Italy. She proved she could carry the same qualities into France with Nantes and then into England with Everton.
What West Ham Have Signed
Gago gives West Ham something their current attacking group largely lacks: a genuine physical focal point who can also threaten space behind a defence.
Standing at 1.78m, she combines size, pace and direct running in a way that creates different problems for defenders. She is comfortable operating as a traditional centre-forward, attacking crosses and competing for aerial balls, but her game is not limited to penalty-box play.
One of her biggest strengths is her willingness to run beyond defenders. When space opens behind a defensive line, Kelly Gago attacks it aggressively, forcing centre-backs into foot races they may not want to have.
She can also create chances for herself rather than relying entirely on service. Her dribbling ability allows her to carry the ball into dangerous areas, while her physical strength makes her difficult to dispossess once she gains momentum.
Gago scored five goals from 2.93 expected goals across all competitions and four goals from 2.38 expected goals in the WSL. Those figures suggest a striker who converted opportunities at a higher rate than the quality of chances alone would predict.
She also completed ten successful dribbles at a success rate of 47.6 percent and recorded 41 touches inside the opposition penalty area in league play.
A Different Option In Attack
West Ham already possess attacking talent. Viviane Asseyi remains one of the team’s most influential forwards, while Riko Ueki offers quality through the middle. Seraina Piubel, Ffion Morgan and highly-rated young striker Leila Wanderer provide additional options.
Kelly Gago, however, brings a profile that is less common within the squad. Her combination of physical presence, aerial ability and direct running gives West Ham another way to attack opponents. Against teams defending deep, she can compete for crosses and second balls. Against teams pushing high up the pitch, she has the pace to exploit the space behind them.
More Than Just Goals
While Gago’s scoring record understandably attracts attention, her work without the ball is also significant. She presses aggressively, works hard defensively and is willing to engage in physical battles with centre-backs. Last season she won 38 duels in WSL competition, reflecting the competitive edge that has become a consistent feature of her game.
Those qualities fit naturally into the type of high-intensity forward play many teams now demand from their strikers. Scoring goals may be the headline, but Gago’s overall contribution extends beyond finishing chances.
Why It Matters
West Ham have signed a striker who has already demonstrated she can succeed in the WSL. More importantly, they have added a profile that was not widely available elsewhere in their squad: a fast, physical centre-forward capable of attacking space, competing aerially and creating problems both inside and outside the penalty area.
After watching her progression from Italy to France and then England, Guarino appears convinced that Gago is ready for a bigger role. West Ham now have the opportunity to find out whether she can become one of the focal points of their attack.
Source: West Ham United
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