West Ham United women’s team is delighted to confirm the signing of Canada international Shelina Zadorsky.
The experienced defender joins on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Zadorsky, who will wear the No14 shirt, has made 56 appearances in the Barclays Women’s Super League for Tottenham, where she has spent the last three-and-a-half seasons.
The 31-year-old has accumulated 95 caps for her country since making her debut in 2013 and helped Canada to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
Having worked with Rehanne Skinner in North London, Zadorsky is pleased to be linking up with her again for the remainder of the campaign.
“I’m delighted to be joining West Ham United,” she told West Ham TV.
“Being a defender, I hope I can bring a new presence to the backline and ultimately, help the team to more clean sheets in the second half of the season.
“I think the Club has so much potential. I’ve also worked with Rehanne before and we have a great relationship. She’s a coach that knows how to get the best out of me.
“I feel like this is a really exciting group and I’ve already been welcomed in by everyone here. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Skinner is delighted to be adding the defender to her squad and hopes that Zadorsky’s leadership and experience will benefit the team in the second half of the campaign.
“I’m delighted to be working with Shelina again, having worked with her in the past,” she said.
"Shelina is a hard working, dedicated player who will fit straight into our trademark West Ham style of play. She is an Olympic gold medal winner with several years of experience in the WSL and knows how to compete at the highest level which will add huge value to the team.
“As a left-footed central defender, Shelina will also help to add balance to our defensive line and I know that she will be a positive energy in the dressing room.
“Shelina sets and drives standards on and off the pitch and will ultimately help us to perform to the level that we want to be at.”
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Zadorsky was born in London, Ontario and began playing football at the age of four. A keen sportswoman, she grew up participating in a range of sports which included track and field, basketball and volleyball.
Between 2010 and 2013, Zadorsky played college soccer for the Michigan Wolverines while completing a degree in Psychology. The defender was captain in her senior year and finished her National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) career with three goals and 15 assists in 81 appearances.
Zadorsky then joined Ottawa Fury in her native Canada, where she captained the team to a second placed finish in the Central Conference final, before going one better and winning the title in 2014.
The defender then made a switch to Australian side Perth Glory in August 2014 where she played in every match of the W-League season. The Glory Girls topped the standings and appeared in in the Grand Final, narrowly losing out to Canberra United.
Zadorsky then signed with Damallsvenskan side Vittsjö GIK where she would feature 18 times in the Swedish top flight during the 2015 season.
Zadorsky returned to North America to sign for Washington Spirit for the 2016 season, playing alongside fellow Hammer, Kristie Mewis during her time there. In her first campaign, she played 11 regular season matches and was voted Spirit Newcomer of the Year. In her second season, Zadorsky was named captain and made 21 appearances.
In January 2018, Zadorsky was traded to Orlando Pride where she played 23 matches in her first season and 16 times in her second season. The defender then joined Tottenham Hotspur, initially on loan in August 2020, before making the move permanent in January 2021.
Zadorsky was appointed captain ahead of the 2021/22 season, helping Skinner and her team to a 5th placed finish in the WSL - their highest finish to date.
Since joining Spurs, Zadorsky has played 56 times in the top division and now makes the move to east London where she will hope to add to those appearances.
Internationally, Zadorsky has represented Canada at a whole host of major tournaments. She was part of the squad that saw Canada clinch gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and also appeared at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Shelina to the Club and wish her every success for her career in Claret and Blue.
