Jessie Stapleton joins Sunderland on loan

West Ham United women’s team can confirm that Republic of Ireland international Jessie Stapleton has joined Barclays Women’s Championship side Sunderland on loan for the 2024/25 season.

The 19-year-old defender signed for the Hammers from League of Ireland Women’s Premier League side Shelbourne last summer, and made two appearances for the Club before enjoying a temporary spell at Reading in the second half of 2023/24.

While in Berkshire, Stapleton made eleven outings and scored one goal against Durham in the penultimate game of the season, helping the Royals avoid relegation with a tenth-place finish in the second tier.

Internationally, she has been a key feature in her country’s senior set-up since winning her first cap in June 2022, and most recently appeared for Eileen Gleeson’s side in a UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden in June, earlier this summer.

Stapleton’s move up to the North-East will see her link up with fellow Iron Keira Flannery, who signed a similar season-long loan deal with Sunderland towards the end of July.

Everyone at West Ham United would like to wish Jessie the best of luck during her time on Wearside.