West Ham United Women have completed the permanent signing of France international Estelle Cascarino from Juventus.
The 29-year-old has signed a three-year contract after spending the second half of last season on loan in east London.
Cascarino made 12 appearances in all competitions and helped Rita Guarino’s side keep four clean sheets.
Her performances included a Player of the Match display during West Ham’s 1-0 Women’s Super League victory away at Liverpool.
The defender also returned to the France squad in February after receiving regular first-team football with the Hammers.
Cascarino said West Ham had felt like home from the beginning and revealed that she quickly decided she wanted to return permanently.
Guarino retains important defensive leader
Keeping Cascarino gives Guarino an experienced and versatile defender ahead of the new WSL campaign.
She can play centrally or at full-back and already understands the manager’s methods following their time together at Juventus.
Guarino described retaining Cascarino as an important piece of business after her performances helped West Ham preserve their WSL status.
Cascarino initially joined West Ham on loan from Juventus in January, with the Italian club confirming the temporary agreement ran until the end of June.
She previously made 49 appearances for Juventus and helped the club win the Serie A title, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
Her experience also includes spells with Lyon, Paris FC, Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
The permanent deal continues West Ham’s busy summer under Guarino.
As Read West Ham recently reported, England forward Ebony Salmon has also joined as part of the club’s squad rebuild.
Cascarino’s return provides continuity within a changing squad and secures a defender who has already shown she can make an immediate impact in east London.
