Seven Departures Signal Start of Major Rebuild
West Ham United Women have confirmed that seven players will leave the club at the end of June, including Shelina Zadorsky and Estelle Cascarino. The departures signal the start of a major rebuild under head coach Rita Guarino ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Who's Leaving?
Shelina Zadorsky, a Canadian international, will leave the club after two-and-a-half seasons. She made 50 appearances for West Ham United Women and scored once against Southampton in the League Cup. Zadorsky also earned the club's Players' Project Award for her work with the West Ham Foundation.
Verena Hanshaw, an Austrian international, will also leave the club after making an immediate impact in East London. She registered three assists in her first 12 matches and finished her spell at the club with 33 appearances, two assists, and a goal against Leicester City.
Camila Sáez, a Chilean international, will depart after two seasons with the Hammers. She made 14 appearances in her first season before spending last year on loan at Bristol City, where she impressed with two goals and two assists in 18 appearances.
Soraya Walsh and Emily Taylor-Brown, both academy products, will also move on. Walsh made one senior appearance during her four years at the club and gained valuable experience through loan spells at Billericay Town, Watford, and Hashtag United. Taylor-Brown made two senior appearances before joining AFC Wimbledon on loan for the second half of last season.
Estelle Cascarino's stay in East London also comes to an end after a productive six-month loan spell from Juventus. The French international made 12 appearances and played an important role in a defence that recorded four clean sheets during her time at the club.
What Comes Next?
Head coach Rita Guarino now faces a crucial transfer window as she begins to reshape her squad. The club's focus is on saying goodbye to a group of players who helped carry West Ham United Women through a transformative period. As one chapter closes in East London, another is only just beginning.
Image Prompt
A photorealistic image of an anonymous West Ham United Women player, aged 25-30, wearing a white jersey with blue sleeves and a blue skirt, standing in front of a blurred East London cityscape. The player is holding a football and looking determined, with a floodlight rim light illuminating their face. The image is shot with an 85mm f/1.4 lens, with a shallow depth of field and a slight smile on the player's face.
