West Ham United women's team confirmed the signing of Switzerland international midfielder Seraina Piubel on Monday.
The 24-year-old has penned a three-year-contract with the Hammers, and makes the move after spending the entirety of her professional career so far with FC Zürich in the Swiss Women's Super League.
She becomes Rehanne Skinner's seventh signing of the summer transfer window after the arrivals of Kinga Szemik, Shekiera Martinez, Camila Sáez, Inès Belloumou, Shelina Zadorsky and Manuela Paví.
Piubel has been a key player for Zürich since making her debut at the age of 17 against Young Boys, making over 65 first-team appearances for the club and scoring an impressive 24 times from midfield. During her time, she helped the Club to four Swiss Super League titles and three domestic cup victories.
Her performances throughout the calendar year of 2023 saw her pick up the Women’s Super League award, which is handed out to the best player in the division over that period Piubel had also been nominated for the award twice previously in 2022 and 2021.
Her influence on the Switzerland national team is also growing as her career progresses. Piubel played in all four of her country's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup matches and scored in their 2-0 victory over the Philippines in the group stage.
Piubel is looking forward to the fresh challenge that lies ahead of her and is excited to get started in the Claret and Blue of West Ham United.
Watch above or read on to hear from our newest Hammer on why she has decided to make the move to east London...
It’s very good to be joining West Ham United.
The Club has a big history and I’m very proud to be part of this team now. They are a team that are very ambitious, and I’m very happy to be signing here and to become part of this project.
I believe that by signing here, I have the best opportunity to reach my full potential.
My first meeting with Rehanne [Skinner] was very good.
She explained to me very competently the plan that she had for me and how she would integrate me into the team upon signing. Her open and honest approach gave me a really good feeling and that was one of the reasons why I made the decision to join the Club.
I had ten fantastic years at FC Zürich, and I am grateful to them for the time that I spent there.
I learned a lot and was able to grow as a player. Now, I’m very excited for this new challenge and to be able to play in a new country and league with West Ham.
FC Zürich were a big support to me throughout my time there, and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me.
This league of course is a new challenge for me, but I have already played at the highest level with my country at the World Cup and in the Champions League with Zürich.
Being at the World Cup in the summer of 2023 was an amazing experience for me. You learn to improve and make decisions under high pressure, adapt to new situations and what it takes to succeed as a team. Now, I want to bring all the skills that I have learnt so far in my career to West Ham.
I would say that as a player I have a good vision of the game and that I’m dynamic.
What the fans can expect from me is commitment, passion and a player that gives everything for the team.
I’m very excited for the season to begin against Manchester United. I’m aware that I’m new here and that it’s going to take time to integrate me into the team. It’s important to get to know my teammates between now and then and to make sure I understand the playing system.
