West Ham United Women learn winner in Hannah Poulter transfer race as contract signed
Brighton have beaten West Ham United Women to the signing of England youth international Hannah Poulter, according to the Daily Mail.
The outlet reported on its website on Thursday (11 July) that the Seagulls have signed the Three Lions U19 stopper on a three-year contract, beating several WSL and Women’s Championship clubs to her signature.
Tottenham, Everton and the Hammers were all understood to be in the race for Poulter’s signature this summer who had been playing college football for the University of South Carolina in America before returning to England.
The keeper put pen to paper on her contract on the south coast before flying out to Lithuania ahead of the U19s European Championships this summer.
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West Ham could well rue missing out on securing Poulter’s signature for years to come as the young keeper has the potential to not only step in between the posts this season but for years to come given her impressive pedigree at such a young age.
While the Irons have made a couple of impressive additions this summer, including Polish keeper Kinga Szemik on a three-year contract, they have missed out on one of the brightest talents in the England youth set-up currently.
Hopefully, Szemik will be able to step into the void left by former captain and Australian stopper Mackenzie Arnold after she was released at the end of the season in one of several big changes to the Irons squad.
There is an argument to suggest that with the 27-year-old already through the door in East London, the Hammers didn’t have to spend more of their budget on another keeper, but they will likely be gutted to have lost this race.
Hopefully, they will be able to complete one or two more bits of incoming business before preparations for the new WSL campaign get truly underway.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers’ stance on a move for Eddie Nketiah has emerged as Marseille ready an opening transfer offer
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