How West Ham are Looking to Turn a Corner in the 2026/27 Season
After finishing tenth in the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) last season, this summer is more important than ever for West Ham United to ensure their ability to stay competitive in next season's expanded league. The 2025-26 season was turbulent for the club, after Rehanne Skinner was sacked in December after just one win in 11 league games. As they look ahead to the 2026-27 campaign, and new manager Rita Guarino’s first full season with the club, West Ham have made some of the most exciting signings in the league that should help them to confidently stake their claim in the WSL.
Statement Summer Moves
One of the most high profile transfers of the summer yet, West Ham announced in June that Laia Codina would be joining the club from Arsenal. The 26 year old centre-back brings with her more than just talent, but also a wealth of experience, having lifted the Champions League three times with Barcelona and Arsenal, as well as having won the 2023 World Cup with Spain. Despite not getting many minutes in the previous season with Arsenal, Codina is an exciting prospect for West Ham, a physical and aggressive defender who is also capable of aiding with progressive play and fluidity when transitioning between defence and attack. West Ham have brought in a player who can more than hold her own in the highest league of European football, strengthening West Ham’s backline with a born winner.
Codina is not West Ham’s only signing from Arsenal, with academy player Niamh Peacock signing her first professional contract with the club. After spending 10 years in North London, Peacock moves to East London having featured for England at under 20s level, as well as finding first team experience in the WSL2 with Portsmouth. At just 18, Peacock brings fresh young talent to the Hammer’s defence, as they look to capitalise on a player with an exciting future ahead of her. She is not the only Young Lioness to join the squad either, with midfielder Sienna Wareing also signing her first professional contract after 7 years in Manchester United’s Academy. Wareing was United’s U21 Academy Player of the Year in her last season, West Ham are clearly planning for the future, bringing in some of the most promising up and coming talent to ensure that the side is in good hands for the future.
After selling Shekiera Martinez to Tottenham, a new striker was top of West Ham’s list this summer, and they have found an encouraging replacement in Kelly Gago. The French international was signed from fellow WSL club Everton, penning a three year contract. Gago adds real depth to West Ham’s attack, a fast and powerful striker with 14 international caps and will be a threatening presence for opposing defenders when in claret and blue. The Hammers have also further added to their front line with 25 year old forward Ebony Salmon, who has joined the club from Aston Villa. Their new number 17 scored seven goals in 12 appearances in her debut WSL season in 2017-18, as well as having played for the likes of Manchester United, Bristol City, and clubs in the United States. West Ham have made additions to their front line with proven experience and goal scoring abilities in the WSL and beyond, as they look to find the back of the net much more often in the next season.
Additionally, West Ham have signed another French international with goalkeeper Constance Picaud. She joins from Fleury who finished fifth in the Première League last season, and where she was also captain. Picaud has 14 international caps and has featured in squads for the 2023 World Cup, 2024 Olympics and 2025 Euros. International talent is evidently a popular attraction for West Ham, as seasoned Swiss player Nadine Riesen has also featured in their summer signings. Having been capped over 40 times for her country, Riesen played for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany’s top flight of women’s football, the Frauen Bundesliga, where they finished third last season. Bringing skilled players from overseas to the WSL shows that the Hammers wish to align themselves with the growth of the English league, and fight to be among some of the biggest teams as the WSL continues to develop into one of the competitive leagues in the world.
A New Era under Guarino
After a stronger performance in the second half of last season, it appears West Ham are starting to turn a real corner under Guarino. They have permanently signed loanees Estelle Cascarino and Katie Zelem, two players who initially joined in the January transfer window to help them turn their season around, and have now committed their futures to carry on this progress with the club. The days of the Hammers narrowly avoiding relegation might soon be behind them, as the team’s project looks to be an exciting prospect for the years ahead.
West Ham have set themselves up for an exciting campaign in the 2026-27 season, with a wealth of new players adding real strength and promise to the side as they hope for a stronger finish in the league.