Leila Wandeler | First Words

Leila Wandeler, a 19-year-old forward, has signed a three-year contract with West Ham United women's team, completing a move from French top-flight side OL Lyonnes. She is excited about the opportunity to join the team, meet her new teammates, and perform for the fans in Dagenham.

This transfer marks the culmination of a memorable summer for Wandeler, who recently scored her first goal for Lyon and made her debut for Switzerland's first team in a warm-up match for UEFA Women's Euro 2025 against the Czech Republic. Her inclusion was particularly special as she had to withdraw from an earlier call-up in June 2024 due to injury.

In her debut for Switzerland, Wandeler came on as a substitute and impressed in a 25-minute appearance, hitting the post and assisting a goal in a 4-1 victory. This performance led to her being named in Switzerland's 23-player squad for the Women's European Championship, an experience she describes as unforgettable.

Now at West Ham, Wandeler is eager to start her first campaign in the Barclays Women's Super League and aims to follow in the footsteps of previous young stars. She expressed her excitement in interviews, highlighting that West Ham feels like a "big family" based on conversations with manager Rehanne, who assured her she would feel at home and could trust everyone at the club.