West Ham United have made nine permanent additions ahead of the 2026/27 Women’s Super League season, while 11 players have left permanently or at the end of their contracts and four more will spend the campaign on loan. Learn everything on West Ham Women transfers 2026 here.
The volume of movement reflects the scale of Rita Guarino’s first summer rebuild in east London. West Ham finished ninth in the WSL last season after Guarino replaced Rehanne Skinner midway through the campaign, and the head coach has now reshaped the squad across every area of the pitch.
The permanent arrivals include France goalkeeper Constance Picaud, Spain defender Laia Codina and England internationals Katie Zelem and Ebony Salmon. Estelle Cascarino and Zelem have both made previous loan spells permanent, while Oona Siren and Viviane Asseyi have committed their futures to the club.
Last updated: 28 August 2026.
West Ham Women’s summer transfer snapshot
- Head coach: Rita Guarino
- 2025/26 WSL finish: Ninth
- Permanent arrivals: Nine
- Permanent or contract-expiry departures: 11
- Players loaned out: Four
- Contract renewals: Two
- Main squad change: A new goalkeeper and an extensively rebuilt defensive unit
- Contract security: All nine permanent additions are signed through at least summer 2028; eight have deals to 2029
Every West Ham Women signing in summer 2026
| Player | Position | From | Transfer | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katie Zelem | Midfielder | London City Lionesses | Permanent after loan | Three years, to 2029 |
| Constance Picaud | Goalkeeper | FC Fleury | Permanent | Three years, to 2029 |
| Laia Codina | Defender | Arsenal | Permanent | Three years, to 2029 |
| Nadine Riesen | Defender | Eintracht Frankfurt | Permanent | Three years, to 2029 |
| Sienna Wareing | Midfielder | Manchester United | Permanent | Three years, to 2029 |
| Niamh Peacock | Defender | Arsenal | Permanent | Three years, to 2029 |
| Ebony Salmon | Forward | Aston Villa | Permanent | Two years, to 2028 |
| Estelle Cascarino | Defender | Juventus | Permanent after loan | Three years, to 2029 |
| Kelly Gago | Forward | Everton | Permanent | Three years, to 2029 |
West Ham Women transfers 2026
Picaud becomes West Ham’s new first-team goalkeeper
Picaud’s arrival from Fleury addresses the vacancy created by Kinga Szemik’s move to Hamburger SV. The France international was captain of her previous club and recorded 19 clean sheets in 40 appearances while helping Fleury finish fifth in consecutive Première Ligue seasons.
The 28-year-old has signed a three-year contract and brings senior international and major-tournament experience. She has represented France at a World Cup, Olympic Games and European Championship, giving West Ham a goalkeeper accustomed to high-level competition.
Her signing is more than a direct numerical replacement for Szemik. Picaud’s experience organising a defence will be important because the back line in front of her has also changed considerably.
Codina, Riesen, Peacock and Cascarino rebuild the defence
West Ham’s defensive recruitment is the clearest indication of how Guarino wants to reshape the team. Codina joins from Arsenal after three seasons in north London. The Spain international brings experience from title-winning teams and European competition, while offering the ability to play through pressure from central defence.
Riesen adds a different profile at full-back. The Switzerland international has played in both the Swiss and German top divisions and can contribute in both halves of the pitch. She became Guarino’s fourth summer signing after Zelem, Picaud and Codina.
Peacock offers a younger option following her departure from Arsenal. The England Under-20 international arrives on a three-year deal and adds further competition in central defence.
Cascarino, meanwhile, already understands Guarino’s system and the demands of the WSL. Her initial loan from Juventus officially ended in June, but West Ham subsequently brought the France international back on a permanent three-year contract. That continuity should help a substantially altered defensive group settle more quickly.
The four defensive arrivals replace a significant body of experience. Shelina Zadorsky, Verena Hanshaw, Camila Sáez, Jess Ziu and Jessie Stapleton have all moved on, while young defender Selin Cemal will spend the season on loan at Aberdeen.
Zelem provides continuity and leadership in midfield
Zelem’s permanent transfer differs from most of West Ham’s other summer business because she was already part of Guarino’s squad during the second half of last season.
The former Manchester United captain initially joined on loan from London City Lionesses in January 2026 and made nine appearances in all competitions. Her three-year permanent contract provides stability after the departure of captain Katrina Gorry.
Zelem has previously worked with Guarino at Juventus and has made more than 150 WSL appearances. Her knowledge of the head coach’s expectations and her leadership experience make her an important part of the rebuild, particularly with several established voices leaving the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Sienna Wareing represents the longer-term element of the midfield recruitment. The 18-year-old signed the first professional contract of her career after seven years with Manchester United. She was named United’s Academy Under-21 Player of the Year for 2025/26 and has also represented England at Under-19 level.
West Ham have retained additional continuity through Siren’s two-year extension. The Finland international was named the club’s Hammer of the Year and Goal of the Season winner for 2025/26, making her renewal one of the most important pieces of business in the window.
Salmon and Gago share the task of replacing Martinez’s goals
The most difficult individual departure to replace is Shekiera Martinez. The Germany forward joined Tottenham after scoring ten WSL goals last season, the joint-third-highest total in the division. Rather than recruiting one direct replacement, West Ham have added two senior forwards.
Ebony Salmon joins on a two-year contract from Aston Villa. The England international can play centrally or attack from a wider starting position and already has extensive experience in the WSL and NWSL.
Kelly Gago arrives from Everton on a three-year agreement. The France international adds another central attacking option and joins a growing French-speaking group that includes Picaud, Cascarino and Asseyi.
Asseyi’s new two-year contract is therefore significant beyond simple continuity. West Ham retain an experienced forward who has passed 100 appearances for the club while placing younger and newer attacking options around her.
The result is a more varied group, although replacing Martinez’s ten league goals will require contributions from several players rather than one obvious successor.
Every permanent West Ham Women departure
| Player | Position | Destination/status | Transfer type |
| Katrina Gorry | Midfielder | Taking time away from football with her family | Contract expired |
| Shekiera Martinez | Forward | Tottenham Hotspur | Permanent |
| Shelina Zadorsky | Defender | ACF Toronto | Permanent after contract expiry |
| Verena Hanshaw | Defender | Austria Wien | Permanent after contract expiry |
| Camila Sáez | Defender | Valencia | Permanent after contract expiry |
| Soraya Walsh | Forward | Aberdeen | Permanent after contract expiry |
| Emily Taylor-Brown | Forward | AFC Wimbledon | Permanent after contract expiry |
| Kinga Szemik | Goalkeeper | Hamburger SV | Permanent |
| Jess Ziu | Defender | Leicester City | Permanent |
| Jessie Stapleton | Defender | Leicester City | Permanent |
| Keira Flannery | Midfielder | Charlton Athletic | Permanent |
West Ham Women transfers 2026
The list shows that West Ham have not simply added depth to last season’s squad. They have replaced a goalkeeper, several defenders, their captain and their leading league scorer.
Martinez’s transfer to Tottenham removes the team’s most productive league goalscorer. Gorry’s decision to take time away from football also leaves a leadership and midfield-control gap, while Zadorsky and Hanshaw were among the squad’s most experienced defenders.
Some departures provide natural progression for younger players. Flannery has moved permanently to Charlton after helping the club win promotion during her loan spell. Taylor-Brown has returned to AFC Wimbledon after spending part of last season there, while Walsh will continue her senior development with Aberdeen.
West Ham players out on loan in 2026/27
| Player | Position | Loan club | Duration | Permanent option |
| Sarah Brasero | Midfielder | Deportivo Alavés | Full 2026/27 season | Not announced |
| Katie O’Hanlon | Goalkeeper | Aberdeen | Full 2026/27 season | Not announced |
| Selin Cemal | Defender | Aberdeen | Full 2026/27 season | Not announced |
| Halle Houssein | Midfielder | Sheffield United | Full 2026/27 season | Not announced |
West Ham Women transfers 2026
Sarah Brasero’s season-long loan gives the England Under-23 midfielder an opportunity to play regularly in Liga F while she remains under contract with West Ham until 2028.
Katie O’Hanlon and Selin Cemal will develop together at Aberdeen. O’Hanlon is part of the senior goalkeeping set-up but has yet to make her competitive first-team debut for West Ham, while Cemal signed her first professional contract in January and needs regular senior minutes in defence.
Halle Houssein returns to WSL2 after making only five appearances for West Ham last season. The Türkiye international previously spent the 2023/24 campaign with Reading and will now work under Sheffield United head coach Stephen Healy, who knows her from his time at West Ham.
West Ham Women contract renewals
| Player | Position | New agreement |
| Oona Siren | Midfielder | Two-year extension |
| Viviane Asseyi | Forward | Two-year extension |
The two renewals retain proven members of the existing squad while so much changes around them.
Siren’s importance increased throughout last season and was reflected in her individual club awards. Asseyi provides experience, versatility and an established connection with the supporters. Keeping both players prevents the rebuild from becoming a complete reset.
How West Ham’s squad has changed
Goalkeeper
Picaud effectively replaces Szemik as the senior first-team goalkeeper. O’Hanlon’s loan means West Ham have prioritised immediate experience in goal while allowing a younger goalkeeper to play regularly elsewhere.
Defence
This is the area of greatest change. Codina, Riesen, Peacock and Cascarino arrive as Zadorsky, Hanshaw, Sáez, Ziu and Stapleton leave. Guarino has exchanged familiarity for a group that offers a blend of international experience, technical ability and age profiles.
Cascarino’s previous loan is particularly valuable because she is the only member of the incoming defensive group already accustomed to West Ham’s environment.
Midfield
Zelem’s permanent deal and Siren’s renewal create the foundation of the midfield following Gorry’s departure. Wareing adds development potential, while loans for Brasero and Houssein should create clearer routes to playing time away from the club.
The main question is how West Ham replace Gorry’s ball-winning work and influence. Zelem provides leadership and distribution, but the balance around her will determine whether the midfield becomes more controlled or more attack-minded.
Attack
Salmon and Gago expand the central and wide-forward options, while Asseyi’s renewal provides continuity. The attack may now have greater variety, but Martinez’s departure removes a forward who had already demonstrated that she could score consistently in the WSL.
The Hammers will need Salmon, Gago, Asseyi and their existing forwards to share that output.
West Ham’s transfer window assessed
West Ham’s summer business is best understood as a planned rebuild rather than a collection of isolated transfers.
The club have committed every permanent arrival to a multi-year contract, giving Guarino a squad she can develop beyond one season. All nine additions are under contract until at least 2028, and eight have deals running to 2029.
There is also a clear attempt to combine immediate experience with future development. Picaud, Zelem, Codina and Cascarino should be capable of assuming significant roles immediately. Peacock, Wareing and the players sent on loan represent longer-term planning.
The risk lies in the volume of change. West Ham must integrate a new goalkeeper and several defenders while replacing their captain and leading league scorer. The quality of the incoming players gives Guarino more options, but the success of the window will depend on how quickly those pieces form a coherent team.
For a side that finished ninth last season, maintaining the same position would represent limited progress after such extensive recruitment. The aim should be to move away from the lower end of the WSL and establish a more reliable route towards the division’s middle group.
Frequently asked questions
Who have West Ham Women signed in summer 2026?
West Ham have signed Katie Zelem, Constance Picaud, Laia Codina, Nadine Riesen, Sienna Wareing, Niamh Peacock, Ebony Salmon, Estelle Cascarino and Kelly Gago permanently.
Who has left West Ham Women?
Katrina Gorry, Shekiera Martinez, Shelina Zadorsky, Verena Hanshaw, Camila Sáez, Soraya Walsh, Emily Taylor-Brown, Kinga Szemik, Jess Ziu, Jessie Stapleton and Keira Flannery have left permanently or following the expiry of their contracts.
Which West Ham players are out on loan?
Sarah Brasero is at Deportivo Alavés, Katie O’Hanlon and Selin Cemal are at Aberdeen, and Halle Houssein is at Sheffield United. All four loans are scheduled to cover the 2026/27 season.
Which West Ham players signed new contracts?
Oona Siren signed a two-year extension and Viviane Asseyi agreed a new two-year contract.
How many players have West Ham signed?
West Ham have made nine permanent signings during the 2026 summer window, including permanent deals for former loanees Katie Zelem and Estelle Cascarino.
Source: West Ham United – West Ham Women transfers 2026
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