West Ham United manager Olli Harder has made Republic of Ireland international midfielder Jessica Ziu his first signing of the summer transfer window.
The Hammers confirmed the news this afternoon on their official website. The 19-year-old is understood to have signed a contract with West Ham United but will continue to represent current club Shelbourne until the transfer window re-opens.
Ziu has spent the best part of the last four years in the senior squad at Shelbourne after making her debut for the Irish Women’s National League club shortly after her 16th birthday. She was a league title winner with Shels in 2021 while the midfielder has also lifted the FAI Women’s Cup with the first team.
On the international stage, Ziu has eight senior caps to her name and she is still awaiting her first goal for her country.
After signing on at West Ham United, Ziu told the club’s official media team “I’m so excited to be joining West Ham United. It’s a proud moment for me and my family. I’ve been playing football since I was four-years-old, and my goal has always been to become professional.
“The fact that I’m now able to call myself a West Ham United player is surreal, but I’m really looking forward to next season and the opportunity that I have.
“I’ve already met the girls and the staff, and everyone was so welcoming to me when I came over for a short period.
“I would describe myself as a pacey player, I like to dribble through players and in tight spaces. I’m technical on the ball and a hard worker off it – and hopefully that should stand me in good stead coming over to the WSL.”
Ziu will join a West Ham United side who have enjoyed their most successful top flight season to date. Harder’s side have already collected more points this season than in their previous three campaigns.
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