West Ham United have added Switzerland international Nadine Riesen, giving Rita Guarino another senior defensive option before the new WSL campaign.
The move matters because West Ham’s women’s rebuild has needed reliability and direction.
Riesen arrives with international experience, and her signing follows a summer where the club have tried 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. That matters 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. It also avoids asking her to solve problems once matches have already started.
ReadWestHam has already covered how Laia Codina’s West Ham move added proven defensive quality, and Riesen now adds another layer to that reset.
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.
