Leila Wandeler is excited by the prospect of becoming the next young star to shine for West Ham United women’s team.
The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year contract in east London, completing a move from French top-flight side OL Lyonnes, and is relishing the opportunity to meet her teammates and put on a show for the Claret and Blue faithful in Dagenham.
The move to the Hammers bookends a memorable summer for the Fribourg-born forward. Just a few months after netting her first goal for the Première Ligue giants, Wandeler made her debut for Switzerland’s first team in their final warm-up match before UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, which came against the Czech Republic.
Her inclusion was made even more special due to the fact she had to pull out of Switzerland’s squad in June 2024 due to injury, which was her first-ever call-up to the senior team.
Our new No27 was sent on as a second-half substitute at Stadion Schützenwiese and clearly impressed Swiss manager Pia Sundhage in her 25-minute audition. Moments after hitting the post on her debut, Wandeler teed up Svenja Fölmli, who rounded off the scoring with Switzerland’s final goal in a resounding 4-1 success.
Not long after, Wandeler was named in Switzerland’s 23-player squad for the tournament - the first time they had hosted the Women’s European Championship finals - and the competition created memories that will stay with her forever.
Now, the versatile attacker has arrived at West Ham and is looking forward to her maiden campaign in the Barclays Women’s Super League, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the young players who have impressed in Claret and Blue before her.