West Ham United sign England U20 international Niamh Peacock
West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of England U20 international Niamh Peacock, following her departure from fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side Arsenal.
The defender has penned a three-year deal at the Club, the first professional contract of her career, to become the Hammers’ sixth signing of the summer transfer window.
The 18-year-old spent the last decade progressing through the Gunners’ youth ranks, while also gaining her first experiences of first-team football with Watford and Portsmouth last term.
Peacock, who has played for England from U15 to U20 level and captained the Young Lionesses, is delighted to join the Club and looking forward to developing her game in Claret and Blue.
“I’m delighted to join West Ham United,” said Peacock, who will wear the No26 shirt.
“This is a big Club, with big ambitions and a passionate fanbase. I felt that coming here was the best fit for me at this moment in my career.
“Signing my first professional contract is a proud moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to develop my game and become a better player and person.”
Having spent two years at Chelsea's Academy, Peacock then joined Arsenal at nine years old. She developed through north London club’s youth set-up and captained their U21s side to the Professional Games Academy U21 PGA Division One title in 2024/25. Peacock also spent time training with their first team and featured in a senior matchday squad for the first time against Bristol City in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup in January 2025.
That was a taste of what was to come, as Peacock spent the first half of the 2025/26 campaign on a dual-registration deal at Watford where she made 14 appearances to help the Hornets on their way to the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division title.
In January, Peacock then became the first player to sign an Academy Development Registration contract in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 when she joined Portsmouth and she went on to make seven league appearances, starting six games, for the south-coast club.
On the international stage, Peacock has shone for the Young Lionesses following her first call-up to the U15s in 2022 - a team she went on to captain. She featured at the UEFA Women’s U17s Euros in 2024 and helped her country finish second in Sweden, before featuring in the England team that came fourth at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the same summer.
Having recently welcomed Sienna Wareing to the Club, Head Coach Rita Guarino is delighted to add another talented Young Lioness to her squad.
“I’m really happy to bring Niamh to West Ham United,” Guarino said.
“Niamh is a central defender who looks to play forward at every opportunity and has many qualities that we value. We’re pleased that she has chosen West Ham as the place to continue with her development.
“Her exposure to first-team football last season with Portsmouth and Watford, as well as for the Young Lionesses will be beneficial as she makes the move to east London, and I’m looking forward to working with her.”
