West Ham United officially complete permanent signing of former Liverpool midfielder
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesWest Ham United have announced the permanent signing of former Liverpool midfielder Katie Zelem on a three-year contract from London City Lionesses, effective from 1 July 2026.The England international spent the second half of the season on loan at the club, making nine appearances in all competitions as West Ham finished 10th in the Barclays Women’s Super League.A two-time WSL champion, Zelem played an important role during her loan spell and will now continue her stay in claret and blue on a permanent basis.“I’m so excited to be joining West Ham United on a permanent basis,” she said. “From the moment I arrived, I felt so welcome and appreciated – West Ham feels like home.
She’s seen me grow from a 21-year-old into a 30-year-old, and we have a great relationship and level of trust both on and off the pitch.“On reflection, I think we had an exceptional second half of the season. We showed our potential and I’m looking forward to continuing that journey next season.”Zelem’s move to east London in January marked a reunion with Rita Guarino, having previously worked together at Juventus Women, where they won the club’s first-ever Serie A title in 2017/18.That was not her first success, however.
Katie Zelem, who has more than 150 top-flight appearances, had already won back-to-back Women’s Super League titles with Liverpool Women before her move to Italy, and also claimed Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year award in her debut season.After leaving Juventus, the 30-year-old scored 32 goals in 161 appearances for Manchester United Women during a six-year spell, helping them win promotion to the WSL at the first attempt in 2018/19 and later lifting the Adobe Women’s FA Cup as captain in 2024.Zelem also has international experience, earning 12 caps for England and featuring at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.Head coach Rita Guarino expressed her delight at retaining a player of Zelem’s experience and leadership within her squad.“We’re happy that Katie has agreed to extend her stay with us,” Guarino said. “Having worked with Katie in Italy, I knew the quality and leadership that she could bring to this team when she joined us in January – that impact has been clear for everyone to see.“Her professionalism and willingness to drive standards is a real asset to this group and I look forward to seeing her continue to excel in a West Ham shirt in years to come.”Here to stay ✍️West Ham United is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Katie Zelem on a three-year contract from London City Lionesses.— West Ham United Women (@WestHamWomen) May 22, 2026 Katie Zelem West Ham United