West Ham United have signed China international defender Li Mengwen on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mengwen made eleven appearances in the WSL last term and previously spent a season on loan with Paris Saint-Germain for whom she played in the Champions League.
She has made 23 appearances for China, including at the 2023 World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games.
Mengwen told whufc.com: “I’m delighted to be joining West Ham United. “It has felt like a bit of a rollercoaster over the last 24 hours as this decision happened very quickly, but now that I am here, I am so excited.
“I feel very proud to be a Chinese player playing in the Barclays Women’s Super League, and I’m truly honoured to be the first Chinese player to play for West Ham United.
“I am a determined, resilient player who will never give up. The experience that I’ve had and the pressure that I have played under throughout my career drives me to be a better player. Now that I am here, I want to do my very best in a West Ham shirt and help the team as much as I can.”
Manager Rehanne Skinner said: “In our first conversation, I could tell how focused and professional she is – attributes that have enabled her to play for teams like Paris Saint-Germain in the past.
“Mengwen has already shown an ability to compete in the Barclays Women’s Super League for Brighton and represent China on the international stage for a number of years, so we know we are bringing some invaluable experience to the team.
“Mengwen’s game understanding and professionalism, as well as her tenacity and desire to win are huge strengths to her game. Her skill set will fit our style of play perfectly, whilst complementing our existing defensive options within the squad.”
