New West Ham United women’s team defender Inès Belloumou can't wait to get started in Claret and Blue.
The 23-year-old has penned a three-year contract in east London, and becomes manager Rehanne Skinner’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window following the arrivals of Kinga Szemik, Shekiera Martinez and Camila Sáez.
Belloumou has immediately headed to Italy and joined SS Lazio on loan for 2024/25, where she will accumulate the necessary points to meet the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria for international player visas.
Despite her relatively tender age, Belloumou has already amassed over 70 appearances in the top divisions in France and Germany. The Martigues native is also well-versed on the international stage, having featured for France at U16, U17, U19, U20 and U23 level, playing 26 times in total for Les Bleues.
The exciting full-back sat down with West Ham TV when signing on the dotted line, and revealed her excitement at signing for the Club.
Inès, welcome to West Ham United! How does it feel to be here?
"Thank you! Firstly, I am very proud to have signed for West Ham. I’m really excited to start and to meet all of the players and staff.
"I’ve spoken with the Club for quite a long time and now I’m here, so I’m really looking forward to coming in when I am able to!"
You’ve had a year with Bayern Munich, and before that you played at the top level in France for a number of seasons. How much are you looking forward to this new chapter here in England?
"Of course, it’s a very exciting new chapter for me. I played in France and Germany, and now England. Those are three very different leagues, and right now for my career, England is the best choice for me.
"The French league is very technical, while I found Germany to be a lot more physical. I was playing at Bayern [Munich] with some of the best players in the world, and I think training with players of that level every single day has helped me a lot.
"You can’t imagine how much I’m now looking forward to testing myself in this league when I return from my loan with Lazio."
What do you know about West Ham United and its supporters?
“I’ve spoken with the French players who I know well, Vivi [Asseyi] and Hawa [Cissoko], and they both said, 'Inès, you have to come. You will not be disappointed'. They said the Club is a big family and I’m already really excited to meet everyone.
“I’m really looking forward to playing on the pitch in front of the fans, too. I’m someone with a lot of determination. I give everything on the pitch and I’m a big competitor. I want to win!
“I’m very excited to show them what I’m about as a footballer, and I hope that I will be able to show them all of the good things that I can do on the pitch.”
Before you play here in east London, you’ll be featuring for SS Lazio on loan. What are your aims for your time in Italy?
“My main aim is to play as many minutes as I possibly can and to help the team. They’re playing in the top division next season for the first time, and I’m looking forward to helping them as much as I can.
"Then, I’ll be looking forward to returning here to West Ham and starting my journey here in London. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and getting things started both with Lazio and here in England.”
