West Ham United women’s team are delighted to announce the signing of Verena Hanshaw from Italian Serie A side AS Roma.
An Austria international with 116 appearances for her country, Hanshaw joins the Hammers with a wealth of experience, having played at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
And now, Hanshaw, who will wear the No29 shirt for West Ham, is excited for a new chapter in her career, as she looks to help propel the Irons to success in the best league in the world.
“This is a big opportunity for me and I’m really happy to be here,” said Hanshaw, who becomes the Hammers’ first signing of the January transfer window.
“I see a lot of qualities within the Club and this team. Having spoken with Rehanne Skinner, as well as my good friends Sheki Martinez and (former West Ham defender) Hawa Cissoko, I had a good feeling about joining West Ham. Everything felt right.
“I am a big team player and will always work hard for the team. I’ve heard a lot about the fans and how supportive and passionate they are, and I’m ready to push myself to do the Club and the fans proud.”
Manager Rehanne Skinner, who was keen to add to her left-sided defensive options in January, shared her happiness at securing a player of Hanshaw’s quality.
“We are delighted that Verena has joined the Club,” said Skinner. “Verena is a left-footed defender who is technically astute. She is calm on the ball, and her attacking and defensive work will suit our style of play.
“Verena has a wealth of experience at club and international level, having played in the Champions League and over 100 times for her country, and her leadership qualities will be a real asset to the group moving forwards.”
Prior to joining Roma, Vienna-born Hanshaw enjoyed a six-year stay at Eintracht Frankfurt, for whom she made more than 110 appearances while helping them to challenge at the top of the Frauen Bundesliga.
Named in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 Best Eleven, the versatile defender has also had success with BV Cloppenburg, helping them secure promotion to Germany’s top flight in the 2012/13 campaign, as well as at SC Freiburg and SC Sand.
Most recently, she helped AS Roma clinch the Supercoppa Italiana with a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina at the beginning of January.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Verena to the Club and wish her every success as a Hammer.
