West Ham Women are preparing for the 2025-26 WSL season with hopes of building on last year’s progress. Key to their ambitions is Shekiera Martinez, whose return from loan last season sparked an attacking revival. With potential investment on the horizon and promising new signings like Yu Endo and Leila Wandeler, the team aims to improve both on and off the field, seeking a solution to the London Stadium issue and striving to attract more fans to their matches.
As the Women's Super League (WSL) 2025-26 season approaches, West Ham United Women are gearing up with hopes of building on last season's progress. The team is focusing on consistency and stability, with manager Rehanne Skinner aiming to capitalize on the foundations laid in the previous campaign. There's buzz around potential new investment which the club hopes will enable them to bridge the gap with their rivals.
Last season saw West Ham initially struggle to convert positive performances into tangible results. However, they turned a corner and embarked on an impressive unbeaten run, positioning themselves as contenders for a fifth-place finish. Ultimately, they concluded the season in ninth place, just five points behind Brighton, who secured the coveted fifth spot.
A significant catalyst for West Ham's improved form was the return of Shekiera Martinez from her loan stint at Freiburg. The dynamic 24-year-old forward revitalized the team's attacking line, forging a potent partnership with the influential Viviane Asseyi, who enjoyed a stellar season in east London. Martinez's impact was undeniable, as she scored 10 goals in just 12 appearances, narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot, finishing only two goals behind joint winners Bunny Shaw and Alessia Russo. Her impressive shot conversion rate of 32% underscored her clinical finishing ability.
Securing Martinez's services for the upcoming season was a top priority for West Ham, and the club's success in retaining her, along with the majority of Skinner's preferred starting lineup, was crucial during the summer transfer window. While there were notable departures, including Dagny Brynjarsdóttir, Shannon Cooke, and Kirsty Smith, most of these players had limited game time and were on the fringes of the first team.
One area of potential concern for West Ham is the relatively limited number of new signings made during the transfer window. Yu Endo brings valuable experience to the defensive ranks, while Wales international Ffion Morgan has demonstrated her talent over four years at Bristol City. Sarah Brasero, arriving from Estoril, and Leila Wandeler, joining from Lyon, are exciting young prospects who are at a pivotal stage in their development.
To prepare for the challenges ahead, West Ham embarked on a pre-season tour to Prague, providing the team with valuable preparation and bonding opportunities. This was followed by a mixed bag of results, including a victory over Liverpool and a defeat against Arsenal, as they fine-tuned their strategies ahead of an opening-day derby clash against Tottenham. Historically, matches between these two sides have been entertaining and closely contested affairs.
Rehanne Skinner is entering her third season at the helm of West Ham, and her efforts to rebuild the team are beginning to bear fruit. Having previously highlighted the issue of short-term contracts leading to high player turnover, the club has responded by offering more stable deals. Skinner is known for her honest communication with players and her willingness to address broader issues within the game. She has fostered a hardworking team that excels in possession and is always keen to attack. Smart recruitment, including the acquisitions of Katrina Gorry, Manuela Pavi, and Martinez, has been instrumental in the team's progress.
Off the field, West Ham are in discussions to sell a stake in their women's team to Monarch Collective, the world's largest female-dedicated sports fund. The private equity group is reportedly seeking to acquire 49% of the club, valuing it at around £55 million, and has a strong track record of investing in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) clubs. Under the proposed deal, West Ham's existing ownership would retain a controlling interest. If the deal materializes, additional funds would be earmarked for bolstering the playing squad, addressing a need that has been lacking in recent years, as well as finding a solution to the London Stadium issue, as West Ham are the only WSL team without any games taking place at their main stadium due to rental costs.
Yu Endo, while not a household name among WSL fans, is West Ham's star signing, bringing a wealth of experience to the team. The Japan full-back joins the club after a successful nine-year stint with Urawa Reds, where she made 171 appearances. During her time there, she helped the Saitama side gain promotion to the W-League in 2020 and subsequently won back-to-back league titles and lifted the 2023 AFC Women's Club Championship trophy. Endo is known for her technical ability, tenacity, and consistency, and she is also capable of playing in the middle of the park.
Sarah Brasero, the 20-year-old midfielder, earned her WSL move this summer, signing a three-year contract with West Ham. The England youth international joins from Estoril after a season in Portugal's top division. Brasero, a creative and diligent player, began her career at Ipswich before moving to Lewes. She has represented England at under-19 and under-23 level, stepping up to Emma Coates's under-23 side towards the end of 2024.
Leila Wandeler enjoyed a memorable summer as part of Pia Sundhage's Switzerland squad at this year's European Championship. The 19-year-old forward made three substitute appearances for her country, who embarked on a historic quarter-final run. Experiencing a home Euros was an unforgettable experience for Wandeler, who joined West Ham from Lyon in August. "It was crazy, amazing," she told club media. "I couldn't believe it at first because I hadn't really been in the national team that much… The games were so amazing, I had chills every time I saw the Switzerland fans."
To attract more fans, West Ham Women continue to play their home matches at Dagenham & Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium, and tickets are available for their first five matches, both home and away. The club is also gathering feedback on the possibility of providing coach travel for away fixtures.