by Staff Writer
Tuesday, 3rd February 2026
West Ham United Women have confirmed that Anouk Denton has left the club to join NWSL side Bay FC.
The defender departs east London for a club record fee of £200,000 after coming through the Hammers’ pathway and gaining valuable senior experience in claret and blue.
"Bay FC is an ambitious club with a clear vision, and it felt like the right place for the next step in my career," Denton said. "The NWSL is the most competitive league in the world, and I'm excited to challenge myself against top players and teams."
Current Bay manager, the former England Under-23s boss Emma Coates added: "I'm really pleased to welcome Anouk to Bay. She's someone I have worked with before, so I know exactly what she brings.
"Anouk is the type of person and player we want at this club. She is professional, hardworking, and driven. She brings valuable experience at the top level from her time in the WSL, and what's exciting is that there's still room for her to grow. I’m excited for the fans to see her in action."
Denton made first-team appearances totalling more than 1,000 minutes in each of the last two seasons for West Ham, impressing with her composure, defensive intelligence and maturity beyond her years.
During her time at West Ham, she also benefited from loan spells, continuing her development and gaining regular minutes at senior level as she built her experience in the women’s game.
A regular on the international stage at youth level, Denton has earned multiple caps for England’s Young Lionesses, representing her country across several age groups and further underlining her potential.
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