Li Mengwen is incredibly honoured to be the first Chinese player to represent West Ham United.
The 29-year-old right-back has signed a season-long loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion, becoming the Hammers’ ninth arrival of a busy summer transfer window.
It’s Mengwen’s fourth different Club of her professional career to date, having spent the majority of her time on the pitch in her homeland with Jiangsu LFC, before embarking on her first move into Europe with Paris Saint-Germain, where she signed on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.
Having helped the French giants to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and featured 13 times across their domestic league season, Mengwen earned a move to England and joined the Seagulls.
Internationally, Mengwen has played 23 times for China since making her debut for her country in 2018. She represented her nation at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2020 Olympic Games and helped clinch the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The defender is looking forward to the opportunity of pulling on the Claret & Blue shirt throughout the upcoming season…
“I’m very excited to be here in east London with West Ham United,” Mengwen told West Ham TV in her first interview with the Club.
“It has felt like a bit of a rollercoaster over the last 24 hours as this decision happened very quickly, but now that I am here, I am so excited.”
Mengwen came up against the Hammers in WSL action last season when playing for Brighton, a game which ended 0-0 as the two sides cancelled each other out.
She said that despite the game being a tight affair, West Ham’s performance left a lasting impression on her. She also spoke of how pleased she is to be continuing her journey in the WSL and representing her country in one of the biggest leagues in the world.
“West Ham gave a good impression on me when I played against them last season,” Mengwen continued.
“I remember thinking they were quite sharp. It was a game where both sides really tested one another. I’m excited to join the group and get started here.
“I’m also incredibly honoured to be the first player from China to play for the Club. It’s a real privilege to represent my country here in England and to play in the Barclays Women’s Super League. I love playing here and I’m excited to continue doing so.”
As the stature of the WSL continues to grow with every passing season, as does the league visibility. With that comes added pressure, which is something Mengwen is more than accustomed to.
Indeed, the full-back explained that she is looking forward to the opportunity to play for a new Club in the division and is hoping to make a big impact in east London.
She added: “I’m a player that likes to play in front of the fans and under pressure. I think it will be a big boost for me to continue doing that here at West Ham. It’s hard to describe the feeling when you touch the pitch, the feeling of having goosebumps. That’s something I really enjoy.
"I am a determined, resilient player who will never give up. The experience that I’ve had and the pressure that I have played under throughout my career drives me to be a better player. Now that I am here, I want to do my very best in a West Ham shirt and help the team as much as I can."
