West Ham United have added Switzerland international Nadine Riesen, giving Rita Guarino another senior defensive option ahead of the new WSL campaign.
The club confirmed the signing in an official announcement, with Riesen saying she liked Guarino’s ambition and believed there was clear potential in the squad, according to West Ham United.
The move matters because West Ham’s women’s rebuild has needed both reliability and direction. Riesen arrives with international experience, and her signing follows a summer in which the club have been trying to reshape the group before the 2026/27 season begins.
Riesen Adds Experience To West Ham’s Defensive Reset
For Guarino, the value is not only in adding another body. Riesen gives West Ham a defender who can raise competition, offer flexibility and help set standards in a squad that cannot afford another slow start.
The timing is also useful. Bringing in a senior player before pre-season gives the coaching staff room to integrate her properly rather than asking her to solve problems once matches have already started.
West Ham supporters will want more arrivals, but this is another clear signal of intent. Riesen’s arrival gives the Hammers a stronger base and keeps the focus on building a squad that can take a step forward under Guarino.
