West Ham United have announced the signing of goalkeeper Sophie Hillyerd from Charlton Athletic.
The Hammers announced the news this afternoon via a post on their official club website.
The teenager left fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side Manchester United last summer to join Charlton Athletic in search of more first team minutes. She now returns to the top division once again, this time with Paul Konchesky’s Ironesses.
Although there’s no guarantee that Hillyerd will be coming in as first-choice goalkeeper for the London side, especially with Mackenzie Arnold at the club, she will see a much clearer pathway to regular Barclays Women’s Super League football than at her previous clubs. At just the tender age of 19, Hillyerd’s best years are very much ahead of her.
There will be a familiar face awaiting her at The Chigwell Construction Stadium as she reunites with former Manchester United colleague Kirsty Smith who was also announced as a West Ham United player earlier this month.
After signing on with The Hammers, Hillyerd said “I’m really pleased to join West Ham. The facilities are fantastic and the coaching staff are extremely experienced and knowledgeable – I’m hoping that both of these factors will be a massive aid in my development here.
“It’s been a long off-season so it’s been nice to be back in and meet my new teammates. I’m really excited for the pre-season games to begin and for the new season to come around too.”
Hillyerd has become new West Ham United manager Konchesky’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window.