New West Ham United women’s team defender Shelina Zadorsky is delighted to be back in Claret and Blue on a permanent basis.
The 31-year-old has penned a one-year contract in east London, having been an influential part of last season’s Barclays Women’s Super League campaign during her six-month loan, and becomes manager Rehanne Skinner’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window following the arrivals of the signings of Kinga Szemik, Shekiera Martinez, Camila Sáez and Inès Belloumou.
Zadorsky has been well travelled throughout her storied career. Having started her professional career in her native Canada with Ottawa Fury, she then headed to Australia to play with Perth Glory, before joining Vittsjö GIK in the Swedish top-flight.
Having returned to North America to sign for Washington Spirit ahead of the 2016 season, where she played alongside fellow Hammer, Kristie Mewis, Zadorsky then switched to Orlando Pride in January 2018.
The defender’s first taste of English football came when she joined Tottenham Hotspur, initially on loan, in August 2020, before making the move permanent in January 2021.
Zadorsky is a stalwart for her country, having made over 100 appearances for Canada and been part of the sides that won Olympic gold and bronze at the Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 Games respectively, while also recently appearing for her country as they contested the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
You can watch her first interview with West Ham TV in the video player above, or scroll down to read on...
Shelina, Welcome back to West Ham United. How does it feel to have signed a permanent contract here and extend your stay in east London?
“Thank you! I am very excited to be back. I think after joining the Club in January and having everyone welcome me, it felt as if it’s a big family here, so I’m very excited to have a full season here.”
Talk to us about your decision to sign permanently at West Ham. Why did you want to come back here?
“I think this group has so much potential, and I really enjoyed working with the staff here. Rehanne [Skinner] and I have built up such a good connection over the years, so being able to work with her and the other staff here has been great. I think everyone wants this team to do well, and I’m really excited where we can take it with the girls this year.”
You came in last season and made ten appearances in Claret and Blue. What are your expectations for the upcoming campaign?
“I always put a lot of expectations on myself to be the best defender that I can be, so I think first and foremost one-on-one defending is something that I really want to hone in on and be a rock in defence. I think it’s about developing relationships in the backline so we can keep more clean sheets.”
How big a factor was working with the manager Rehanne Skinner again in your decision to return to the Club?
“It was huge because when you have that connection with a manager, they know how to push you and get the best out of you, so I am really looking forward to that this season and working with the other staff as well.”
You return to east London after representing Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. How proud were you to represent Canada at your third Olympics?
“I think representing your country is always such a huge honour, and I feel so lucky to have done that for three different Olympic Games, but just playing for Canada and representing the country, family and friends who have supported you is always a very special experience.”
You built up a good rapport with the West Ham fans last season. You must be excited about seeing and playing in front of them again in the upcoming season?
“I think the fanbase is so lively and fun, and we always get a good crowd, so I think it’s about building on that and developing that fan relationship that I have. I love seeing our fans after the games, and the fans who travel to away games with us mean a lot to us.”
We have a pre-season trip to Australia to look forward to. How beneficial do you think that will be for the whole squad as we prepare for the new season?
“I think it’s huge to have a pre-season tour and play against top opposition like we will be. It’s such a good challenge to start the season with that and get some competitive games under our belts, and it’s also a good bonding experience to be able to travel and be together as a team.”
