West Ham Ladies are delighted to announce the signing of their first player of the season, Republic of Ireland international Jessie Stapleton.
The 18-year-old becomes West Ham’s first player to sign this season, after a great season in Dublin with League of Ireland’s Women’s Premier League side Shelbourne.
The defender is goal hungry with 21 goals over 71 features and she also helped her team to win a league and cup double, ending her last season in Ireland very successfully.
The current captain of Irelands U19s, Stapleton earned her first senior cap for her country aged 17, with her last call up to the team being in November 2022.
Stapleton will join Jess Ziu and Izzy Atkinson as the third Irish player in the West Ham Squad this season, and the 6th Irish player to ever play for the club.
The promising young player is excited to be joining the WSL, and is ready to prepare for the new season in Rush Green. New manager Rehanne Skinner will hope to use the versatile player not only in the defender role but also in the midfield as-well.
Jessie told whufc.com – “I’m delighted to join West Ham United”,
“It’s a massive honour for me to sign for this Club. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to sign for a professional team and I can’t wait to get going.
“Every player growing up now wants to play in the WSL, it’s one of the biggest and best leagues in the world. You watch the games every weekend over in Ireland.
“There seems to be a great bunch of girls here at West Ham and I’m excited to get started with pre-season training ahead of the new season.”
Aidan Boxall, General manager of the women’s team said – “We are delighted to welcome Jessie to east London. She is a promising defender that we have been watching for a long time and have beaten off some strong competition to secure her services.
“Jessie will need some time to adapt to the WSL but we feel we have a fantastic talent in the building, and I’m delighted she has chosen West Ham as the place that’s best suited to continue her development.
“We’re looking forward to seeing her in action and wish her all the very best throughout the coming season.”
Everyone at The West Ham Way congratulates Jessie on the signing & wishes her all the best at the club !
Written by Katie Vine.
