Forward Viviane Asseyi has been voted as West Ham United women’s team Hammer of the Year.
The 31-year-old, who signed for the Irons in August 2022, has enjoyed her best-ever campaign in Claret and Blue, recording eleven goals and seven assists in all competitions ahead of Sunday's home clash against Aston Villa, having featured in 24 matches.
The France international’s personal-best seven goals and six assists in the Barclays Women’s Super League this term have seen her score in every one of Rehanne Skinner’s side’s league victories, and she has been crowned Hammer of the Year by West Ham supporters.
“I think everyone wants to have this kind of award because I work hard every day with the girls. It’s also a team thing, because if I have a good season, it’s because of the girls,” said Asseyi, speaking to West Ham TV.
“I’m really happy to win this award because the fans have pushed us all the time. When we had the downs, they were there, when we were winning, they were there. You can feel the support at home and away, so thank you to them."
Coming to the end of her third season at the Club, this is the first time that Asseyi, who has featured in all but two matches across the campaign, has won the award - with previous winners being goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, midfielders Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Kate Longhurst, and defender Gilly Flaherty.
Asseyi has grown to be one of the leaders in the team, passing on experience and advice to other members of the squad, which has helped to build the tight-knit bond that has allowed the group to excel in England’s top flight this term.
“I always want to share my experience. It’s a part of football,” continued Asseyi, who also won the Women’s Football Icon accolade at the Women’s Football Awards this week. “I’m someone who, if I can give advice to people to be able to help them, I will, because this is how you build a good team.
“This year we’ve really built teamwork, you can see that at training or at the games. I think we really deserve the results we’ve had because we’ve been together.
“Even when we didn’t start well, in the dressing room after we’d lose, we all stuck together, saying to each other, ‘the next game will be good’. The mentality [in the team] is good, and it’s really good to be here.
“We climbed the mountain. We had a lot of ups and downs, but we kept going and stayed together. The girls who came at the start of the season and during the season, they all brought energy, and that makes our team good right now.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Vivi on winning the Hammer of the Year award!
