After spending much of last season looking over their shoulder, West Ham United have wasted very little time in reshaping their squad ahead of the 2026/27 season. Instead of just simply replacing the outgoing players, the Hammers appear to be building a squad with Rita Guarino’s long-term vision. With nine players already through the door at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, along with the January signings that helped secure their status as a BWSL club, West ham’s new recruitment strategy feels as though a new era is starting at the club.
The club has entered a period of transition both on and off the pitch, following the relegation of the men’s team, the departures of Karren Brady, and Tara Warren, alongside the Sullivan family’s reduced involvement. This has coincided with Czech shareholder, Daniel Kretinsky increasing his influence within the club. This is something that should excite Hammers fans because he has a proven track record of success at the women’s level. During his ownership of Sparta Prague, the women’s team had significant investment that allowed them to transition into a fully professional side, which helped them to 13 league titles. While success in the BWSL presents a far greater challenge, Kretinsky has already demonstrated a willingness to invest in women’s football rather than simply maintain it.
January’s appointment of Rita Guarino proved to be pivotal in ensuring the club’s safety. Arriving following the departure of Rehanne Skinner, the former Inter Milan manager helped steady the boat and steered West Ham towards another season of BWSL action. Away from the first-team, West Ham have also strengthened their player development pathway with the introduction of an under-21 side to create a clear route from the youth side to the first team.
All West Ham fans knew that a busy transfer window would be inevitable, with the departures of club captain Katarina Gorry, Shekiera Martinez’s move to Tottenham Hotspurs, and the exits of Shelina Zadorsky, Camila Saez, Verena Hanshaw, Soraya Walsh and Emily Taylor-Brown, significant gaps were left in the West Ham squad in terms of ability, leadership, and potential.
In previous windows, West Ham have often waited until late in the window to make their moves. This summer, has been different however with West Ham getting a lot of business done early in the summer, allowing Rita Guarino time with her team ahead of the season.
After impressive loan spells, both Katie Zelem and Estelle Cascarino made their moves permanent. Katie Zelem’s immediately became a vital part of the side last season, so it was no surprise when the club wanted her leadership, and experience in midfield. The Hammers did the same for former Juventus, and PSG defender Estelle Cascarino, whose 10 games on loan last season, were enough to convince the club they needed her experience to bring stability to the defence.
West Ham United continued to add experience to their back line with Spanish center back Laia Codina joining the club following her departure from Arsenal. She adds elite-level pedigree having won multiple UEFA Champions League’s, Liga F titles, and a Fifa Women’s World Cup across spells at Barcelona, Arsenal, and Spain. Experience was added between the sticks too, with the arrival of Constance Picaud from Fleury, who has represented France at the World Cup, Olympic games, and Euros. Switzerland international Nadine Riesen became Rita Guarino’s fourth signing of the summer. Riesen arrives with Champions League and international experience and her reunion with Seraina Piubel, also reunites two players who enjoyed back-to-back league titles for FC Zurich Frauen.
Replacing the goals and attacking threat lost from losing Shekiera Martinez was always likely to be a priority for the Hammers. West Ham responded with the addition of Aston Villa forward, Ebony Salmon, whose pace and proven BWSL experience will be vital. They continued to add to their firepower with Everton forward Kelly Gago bringing more BWSL experience to the West Ham attack having notched four times from six starts last term. Rita Guario will be hoping they can combine well with the likes of Viviane Asseyi, Ffion Morgan, and Riko Ueki to give West ham that attacking threat throughout the season.
The recruitment has not been focused solely on the present as they added two of England’s brightest prospects from top academies as they look to make the leap to BWSL football. English Under-20 international, and former Arsenal defender, Niamh Peacock moves from north London to the east following positive loan spells in the BWSL 2 at Watford, and Portsmouth. Sienna Wareing also joins the Hammers from Manchester United, where the midfielder spent seven years. She becomes the fifth player in the West ham to have represented the Young Lionesses, as they join a team with a clear emphasis on long-term development within the club.
However, it’s not just players arriving in east London, Guarino announced that she has appointed former Scotland assistant coach Adam Pengelly to work with her as a joint-assistant manager ahead of this season.
West Ham have been clever in this window, and for once have acted with a clear strategic plan. Rather than scrambling for late additions, they acted decisively and identified players that fit the style Guarino wants. They have replaced departing leaders, brought in firepower up top, and experience at the back. Whether this reflects the new owner leaving his mark, or just a shift in strategy remains to be seen, but this will be seen as a big positive by Hammers fans.
Rita Guarino is clearly building a squad that fits her style of play, and her long-term vision. With the Barclays Women’s Super League now expanding to 14 teams, West Ham will be look for their expectations to evolve. If this recruitment is any heads up, it’s sure that survival will no longer be the benchmark for Guarino’s West Ham, mid-table will be the aim. Though the way they are building, shows they are not just planning for next season, but the years after that too.
