West Ham Women finalise paperwork on diamond new signing for ex-WSL star
West Ham Women have completed their first major signing of the January transfer window.
Rehanne Skinner was sacked by the board on 18 December after a dreadful run of results had seen her win just one of West Ham’s opening 11 WSL matches of the season.
West Ham Women are predicted to be relegated, and as they sit 11th in the table, new head coach Rita Guarino is in desperate need of reinforcements.
Their last WSL outing on 14 December saw them draw 2-2 against 12th-placed Liverpool as Beata Olsson scored a late equaliser for the Reds, who were down to 10 players for the majority of the game.
Having already given 19-year-old Selin Cemal her first professional contract on 6 January, Guarino has now overseen the loan signing of ex-Man United defender Estelle Cascarino.
West Ham Women announce loan signing of left-back Estelle Cascarino
West Ham Women have signed Cascarino on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old left-back was on loan at Man Utd from January to June 2023, making just two appearances for the Red Devils, with one of them coming in the WSL.
The French defender has vast experience under her belt, and can also play as a centre-back for West Ham.
| Club | Appearances |
| OL Lyonnes | 2 |
| FCF Juvisy-Sur-Orge | 15 |
| Paris FC | 39 |
| Bordeaux | 27 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 27 |
| Manchester United | 2 |
| Juventus | 49 |
Cascarino also has 18 caps that span over the course of eight years for France, and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
She’ll give Verena Hanshaw, who signed in January 2025, some competition in the left wing-back position, while Eva Nystrom could be at risk of losing her place in the team at centre-back.
Over the summer, Jess Ziu, Camila Saez, and right-back Li Mengwen were among those to leave West Ham, and Guarino is undoubtedly thrilled that she can bring her own group of players through the door after Skinner’s two-year spell in charge.
What can West Ham fans expect from Estelle Cascarino?
Guarino has a huge job on her hands as the Hammers sit just two points above the bottom of the WSL table, but she is insistent that Cascarino is the right fit for what she wants to achieve.
She said: “Cascarino is a left-footed defender who has excellent technical ability. She reads the game well, is calm on the ball, and her range of passing will suit our style of play.
“She is a proven winner, and her experience and knowledge of the game will be a real asset to the team moving into the second half of the 2025-26 season.
“We are delighted that Cascarino has joined the club.”
Only time will tell if Cascarino turns out to be a successful signing.
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