West Ham United have signed 22-year-old Shekiera Martinez on a three-year contract after she spent the last eight with Eintracht Frankfurt.
But she will spend next season on loan at SC Freiburg, in order to gain points towards an international player visa.
The forward has played over 110 times for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 24 goals, also making five appearances in the 2023-24 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Martinez has been capped by Germany at U-15 through to U-19 levels, twice taking part in age-group European Championships.
Martinez told whufc.com: “The Women’s Super League is an incredible league and I want to challenge myself in England against the best teams.
“I’m a fast player and love to score goals. I hope I can help the team with my experience from playing in Germany and in the Champions League.
“I hope to gain some invaluable experience on loan at SC Freiburg and return to east London ready to hit the ground running.”
Head coach Rehanne Skinner said: “Shekiera is a young forward that we have been watching for some time. Her creativity, quality on the ball and goal threat are huge strengths to her game. She is also quick, hard-working and technically astute with a real positivity to her attacking play.
“Having already gained a wealth of experience in the national team youth set-up, as well as the Frauen-Bundesliga, we have no doubt Shekiera will adjust well to the WSL when she returns from her loan.”
