West Ham's women's team finished last season in 10th place after a significant turnaround under manager Rita Guarino, who took charge in December when the club was in crisis with one win in 11 games. Guarino's impact gathered momentum through the spring, with the team earning 14 points from their final 11 Women's Super League games.
The club has completed ten signings during the summer transfer window. Forward Kelly Gago joined from Everton and Ebony Salmon from Aston Villa, while defenders Estelle Cascarino, Nadine Riesen and Laia Codina arrived from loan, Eintracht Frankfurt and Arsenal respectively. Young English players Sienna Wareing and Niamh Peacock signed from Manchester United and Arsenal.
West Ham's backing in the transfer market follows a period of departures. Fourteen players left the club, including forward Shekiera Martinez, who joined Tottenham, midfielder Katrina Gorry, who took a break from football, and defender Shelina Zadorsky, who left for AFC Toronto at the end of her contract.
Concerns remain about resources at the club. According to Football Association figures, West Ham spent £97,000 on agents' fees in the year to February 2026, the lowest in the WSL, and was one of only two clubs whose spending on agents' fees declined year on year. The women's team continues to play at Dagenham and Redbridge's Victoria Road stadium, having not used the club's main ground since September 2019.
Guarino, who managed only in Italy before joining West Ham, has impressed players including defender Laia Codina. Forward Kelly Gago said the club's family atmosphere appealed to her after she handed in a transfer request at Everton in January. Full-back Inès Belloumou returned from loan spells at Lazio and Malmö to join the squad after representing Algeria at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, where she was named in the team of the tournament.
