Princess Ademiluyi undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of her.
The young forward is on cloud nine after signing her first professional contract with West Ham United women’s team, with the news announced on 14 July, her 18th birthday.
The contract was a reward for six years of hard work in a Hammers shirt, after Ademiluyi joined the Club aged 12, worked her way through the Foundation player pathway and eventually linked up with the first team squad at just 16-years-old in March 2023.
She made her professional debut for the Club in May of the same year, coming off the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion. Last season, Ademiluyi took to the pitch often under Rehanne Skinner, amassing 15 appearances in total across the 2023/24 campaign.
Ademiluyi will now embark on a new challenge for the upcoming season, having joined Charlton Athletic in the Barclays Women’s Championship on loan for 2024/25.
It’s the first time that the Gravesend native will move away from the comforts of Claret and Blue, and she is relishing the challenge of making the next step in search of consistent senior minutes.
“I’m so excited for the season with Charlton,” Ademiluyi told whufc.com.
“I feel like it’s the right time for me to make this step and go out on loan in search of game-time. I’ve been involved in the first team squad here at West Ham for over 18 months now, and I’ve learnt a lot during that time.
“Now it’s a great opportunity for me to go out into a new environment, learn a different set of skills and hopefully secure a lot of minutes in the Championship.”
The Addicks missed out on winning the Championship title by a single point last season and are seen as one of the favourites to compete for the title this time around too.
Ademiluyi has been with the team since they returned for pre-season, and she has enjoyed her time out on the training pitch thus far.
“It’s been really chilled going into Charlton. All of the girls and staff have been so nice, and I’m really looking forward to playing under Karen Hills this coming season.
“The team did really well last season, just missing out on promotion. That’s the aim this time around, and I hope that I can contribute as much as possible.
“I’d love to score a lot of goals for them, that’s my aim. I’ve got to take it one step at a time, but I hope I can make a real impact for them this season and come back to West Ham a better player.
We are thrilled to announce the loan signing of Princess Ademiluyi from West Ham United ✍️
Congratulations, Princess ❤️— Charlton Athletic Women (@CAFCWomen) July 20, 2024
Ademiluyi’s journey is one that has been pioneering, with the striker being the only player thus far to move through the different stages of youth football at the Irons and into the first team. Indeed, with the Hammers only entering their seventh season as a professional outfit, it is not surprising, and Ademiluyi has the aim of inspiring those who are coming through and showing them what they can achieve if they work hard.
“It was really special for me to sign my professional contract with West Ham. The news went out on my 18th birthday, which was really nice and added to the celebrations.
“Like I said, it’s been a real journey for me. I’ve made my way through the pathway and into the first team, and to be rewarded with a pro deal is fantastic for me.
“I want to be that role model for the younger players that are coming through now, and I know that I’ve got to keep working really hard if I want to be in a position to be that person,” she said.
