Having recently celebrated her 21st birthday, it’s already been a summer to remember for West Ham Women’s goalkeeper Katie O’Hanlon. Fresh from graduating university, the young shot stopper has now put pen to paper on her first professional contract with the Hammers.

O’Hanlon has signed a two year deal with West Ham, the icing on the cake of a journey that began with playing football in school, spending time at a number of top academies, as well as juggling a job with her studies and chasing her dreams of becoming a footballer. After time spent in the academy set ups of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, the 21 year old joined West Ham as part of the Club’s Professional Game Academy in 2022.

An emergency loan to Hashtag United, and a season spent on loan with Billericay Town have aided O’Hanlon in her development, giving her a taste of first team football and allowing her to grow both on and off the pitch.

Reflecting on her season spent with Billericay, O’Hanlon told the Club’s official website: “I got a lot of exposure, a lot of game time. I had opportunities to learn, to do good things, make mistakes and I just felt like I learned every single game.”

Forming a part of the Hammers goalkeeping group, working alongside more experienced keepers in Kinga Szemik and Megan Walsh, although O’Hanlon is the “baby” of the group, she is fully embracing the experience and soaking up all the details she can.

Describing herself as hard working and a good communicator, the young shot stopper is naturally very excited looking ahead to next season and her first campaign as a professional. “I feel like now I can just fully focus on football. I’m really, really excited to do that.” said O’Hanlon.

As she begins this new chapter in her football career, O’Hanlon is keeping her feet firmly on the ground. Her gratitude towards those who have supported her along the way, from her parents to her various coaches and teammates, is clear to see. Now, she is ready to repay their faith in her out on the football pitch.