West Ham United Women have confirmed that highly-rated defender Selin Cemal has joined Aberdeen on loan for the entire 2026/27 season.
The 19-year-old will spend the campaign in the Scottish Women’s Premier League as West Ham look to give her regular senior football following a breakthrough first season in east London. West Ham officially announced the move on Thursday.
Cemal joined the Hammers’ Professional Game Academy from Chelsea in July 2025, having also previously spent time in Arsenal’s academy.
Selin Cemal leaves West Ham for Aberdeen loan
The Türkiye youth international made her senior West Ham debut in a 5-1 League Cup victory over Charlton Athletic last September.
She went on to make four first-team appearances during the 2025/26 campaign and signed her first professional contract in January. Cemal also received her first Türkiye Under-23 call-up during her debut season.
Aberdeen have also confirmed the season-long agreement, with their Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football Nathan Flight highlighting Cemal’s quality and composure among the attributes the club hope she will bring to the squad.
The move should give Cemal an opportunity to play consistently at senior level before returning to West Ham.
Rita Guarino’s squad has undergone major changes this summer, with competition for defensive places increased by several experienced additions.
ReadWestHam has continued covering the women’s team throughout a busy week, including Inès Belloumou’s WAFCON heartbreak with Algeria earlier on Thursday.
Cemal’s immediate priority will now be regular minutes in Scotland as she continues the transition from academy football into the senior game.
