It's official, Kristie Mewis is a Hammer!
The 32-year-old United States international was announced as Rehanne Skinner's first January signing on Friday 22 December.
Mewis, who will wear the No15 shirt, has played over 170 times in the NWSL during her career, which includes a successful four-season spell with Houston Dash, where she lifted the NWSL Challenge Cup.
Having accumulated 53 caps for the United States women's national soccer team [USWNT] since making her first appearance for her country in 2013, Mewis adds experience, leadership and quality to the West Ham United midfield.
And in an exclusive interview with TV presenter and West Ham fan, Bianca Westwood, at Chadwell Heath, Mewis reveals her excitement about beginning life in Claret & Blue in the new year.
Watch the full interview in the video player above, or read on to hear from our new No15!
Kristie, welcome to West Ham United, welcome to London! How does it feel to be here?
It feels really good. Obviously, this has been a huge dream of mine since I first started playing professionally. I feel like everything is kind of falling into place now because this is exactly where I want to be. It feels like a dream.
I understand that Rehanne Skinner has spoken to you about the West Ham project. What drew you to the Club in particular?
Well, I have a funny story about how I first kind of like had an experience over in England, it was my first time and I had never been to a Premier League game before. And I went with my friend to a West Ham game in their old stadium [Upton Park].
I had never seen anything like it before in my entire life. I walked in and I was just like a deer in headlights, just like, ‘this is heaven’ and was immediately drawn to it. And I feel like nothing has ever really lived up to that first game. Like I've been to so many other men's games, Premier League games, like all different types of games, and nothing has really stuck out like that specific West Ham game.
It's pretty incredible that this is now the team that I'm going to be playing for. It feels surreal. And I feel like it's kind of all coming together. I felt like such a part of the community in that one game that I went to, and nothing has ever lived up to that since, so it's pretty cool that this is going to be my team now.
The WSL has developed into such an amazing league, and I love watching the games. It's such beautiful football, and I just wanted to be a part of it.
How much are you looking forward to playing in the WSL and experiencing the football culture in this country?
It’s definitely a huge deal for me because it’s a dream that I have had since playing professionally. I feel like there’s so much more I can add to my game by coming here and playing in the WSL.
I’ve done so much and learned so much already, but now I feel like it's also time for me to experience something else, and I feel like this is the type of football that I want to experience and test myself with.
I’m looking forward to integrating myself into the team and passing on the wisdom and experience that I’ve been able to gain from my years of playing professionally in the NWSL.
🇺🇸 United States International, Kristie Mewis, has touched down in east London! 🫧 pic.twitter.com/XMF4et1xCJ
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) December 22, 2023
How do you compare the quality and intensity of the NWSL to what you’ve seen of the WSL?
I feel like I get this question a lot. And it is hard because I obviously haven't played in this league yet. But from what I hear, I feel like one isn't better or worse. It's just very much a little bit of a different game. I feel like in the NWSL it's a lot of running and a lot of athleticism, it's very transitional. And I know that this league can be like that sometimes as well. But I feel like there's a little bit more football played here where you know, passes are more put together. Possession is kept a little bit more.
I think it will suit my style of play. I really like to run and I’ll always give everything for the team, I think my tactical awareness will benefit the team as well, and the league is getting better and better every single year that I have been watching.
You’ve just had a fantastic experience with Gotham, winning the Championship, what was that like?
It was pretty crazy because in 2021 we finished in last place, so we went from last to winning the competition in a season. It was so awesome, we had an great group of players and staff and I think we just all believed that we could do it.
It’s probably the best year that I’ve had in the NWSL. I think I brought my experience of the league to the team, I knew what to expect, so let’s hope I can bring some of that experience here and help West Ham.
Your sister, Sam has played in the WSL previously, what did she say to you when you said you would be coming over to the league and joining West Ham?
She loved playing in this league, she really did. Sam said that everyone here is a footballer, and that’s no disrespect to the NWSL. I think in this country, there’s that football culture, so everyone is a little bit more technical and tactical.
I’m looking forward to playing here, and hopefully elevating my game in that way too. I definitely feel a lot of pressure, but it also excites me. It’s a weird feeling because I’m coming over to a really great league and I know that I need to perform.
I like to be challenged, and I feel like that’s the most important thing for me right now in my career. I’m super excited about that aspect of it.
There are so many great teams in this league, and that’s a massive attraction for coming here. You’ve obviously got the top teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, so playing them will be really cool – I’ve always wanted to say that I’m going to be challenging myself against those sorts of teams on a consistent basis.
You spent the summer out in Australia at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, how exciting is it to see the women's game continuing to grow on a global scale?
It was huge. It's awesome to see the amount of attention that the women's game is getting now. The reach of the World Cup was incredible, and it felt really special to be a part of that.
I think as players, that's all we've really wanted. We've wanted that attention, to see us for what we do and who we are.
It's really special to have this exposure now. Whenever a fan or young person comes up to me and says things like 'you're my idol' or 'I play because of you', it makes me think back to when I was younger and how I felt like that for players like Mia Hamm.
At the end of the day, I went to the World Cup, I've played at the Olympics, I'm playing professionally, but I think that my true goal in life is changing other peoples lives. I'm pleased that I'm able to do that with what I do.
What can the West Ham fans expect from you?
I'm a hard worker, and I have that kind of blue collar mentality, which I know West Ham are known for. Me and my sister are definitely like that.
Over the years, I would say I've become a little bit of a leader. Not in a super vocal sense, but I lead by example and with performances. I like to think I have a decent pass and left foot, and that I work hard defensively.
I feel like everything West Ham embodies, I can be that and that is who I am. I'm excited to be a part of such a blue collar Club where I can be myself.
The team isn't where they want to be right now, but from what I hear from Rehanne, there's so many great pieces - we just need to fit it all together.
I'm looking forward to playing with the girls - I've watched a couple of games and there's so much potential. I'm excited to jump in there and be a part of it!
