Craig Forrest, Alex Bunbury and Doneil Henry: Canada has provided West Ham United with some strong performers over the years, but perhaps women’s team defender Shelina Zadorsky is the cream of the crop.
Having played an important role for the Hammers throughout a record-breaking campaign in east London last season, during which she made 21 appearances, Zadorsky has also enjoyed a hugely successful summer on the international stage.
Indeed, she helped Canada secure two wins over Haiti at the end of May and in early June, and against Costa Rica in a special Pride Celebration match at the end of last month, where she netted the equaliser in an eventual 4-1 win, before featuring in a 3-0 defeat against the United States - ranked No1 in the FIFA Women's World Rankings - in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Continuing to be a big part of Casey Stoney’s set-up, Zadorsky won her 113th cap against the US at the end of a productive few weeks with Les Rouges, and she is now ready for a well-earned mini-break ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
“It’s been a busy but enjoyable summer for me, and I’ve really made progress as a footballer,” said Zadorsky.
“The result [against Costa Rica] was an important result because we're in a period where a lot of players are getting minutes, and we're trying a lot of new things, so we showed a lot of resilience to come from 1-0 down and then in the second half dominate and score four goals.
“It was a Pride Celebration match too, so that made the win even more special because we're such an inclusive and diverse nation, and we like to celebrate that, so our Pride Celebration fixtures are really important to us, and it was brilliant to get the win for everyone.
“I also managed to score my ninth goal for Canada in that match against Costa Rica, and it was an important one too, which I was really excited about. I’ve scored two goals in the last couple of camps, and that’s something I’m really delighted about, as I've been focusing on set-pieces, so I was really happy with that.
“I'm just honoured to be out there and help make a difference for the team.
“Of course, there is a bit of disappointment with the defeat against the United States, but it was a good test for us to see where we’re at.
“We have grown as a team throughout the summer, and I’ve really enjoyed working with Casey [Stoney]. She’s an intelligent coach, has been involved in the game for a long time and is really hands-on, so she's a great leader for us, and there are a lot of positives to take into the future.”
Celebrating the Maple Leaf abroad 🇨🇦
Honoured to share Canada Day with Ambassador Hillman and the Canadian Embassy in D.C.
——
On célèbre la feuille d’érable à l’étranger 🇨🇦
C’est un honneur de partager la fête du Canada avec l’Ambassadrice Hillman et l’ambassade du Canada à… pic.twitter.com/pdl4WfPUkO— CANWNT (@CANWNT) July 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Zadorsky was also able to celebrate Canada Day on international duty - the national day that commemorates the 1867 British North America Act, which created Canada - by spending Tuesday 1 July at the Embassy of Canada, Washington DC, with her teammates.
The defender told us that her home country will always hold a special place in her heart, and while her nation is responsible for producing several Premier League talents over the years, Zadorsky takes great pride in flying the Canada flag in the Barclays Women’s Super League and inspiring those from the next generation who are hoping to replicate her journey to the top.
“We celebrated Canada Day at the Embassy of Canada, and we had an incredible day surrounded by other Canadians and Americans who celebrate Canada Day too,” Zadorsky added.
“I'm a really proud Canadian and am extremely proud and grateful to represent Canada and be a part of this nation and play football for my country.
“I’m just as proud to play for West Ham and be one of the Canadians who’s been able to play in the WSL and particularly for West Ham.
“I think having Canadians in and around one of the best leagues in the world, if not the best, is so good for our development and personally for mine. I’ve grown so much as a player in the WSL, and I'm so proud to be a Hammer and be a part of the big family that we are.
“I take my role as a role model very seriously, and I love showing that there is a pathway for Canadians and young girls to aspire to.
“We have a lot of young players coming through the system now, and I think it's incredible where women's football has got to and where it will continue to get to, and I only see this game growing more and more.
“There are so many major tournaments happening this summer, and I'm really lucky to be a part of that and help inspire the next generation.”
