New West Ham United women’s team signing Anna Csiki arrives at the Club with plenty of hunger to kick on in the 2025/26 season.
Our new No15 has signed on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur following her first campaign in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Last term, the 25-year-old made 13 appearances across all competitions, as she became the first Hungarian to play in the division.
Moving to England in the summer of 2024 was a big step in Csiki's career. She admitted it took a while to adapt to the most competitive league in the world, insisting that it’s quicker, more tactical and physical than Sweden’s top flight, where she spent four seasons with BK Häcken FF. However, Csiki is now ready to show her full potential in Claret and Blue.
The midfielder’s talents are clear. Having started her career in her native Hungary with Ferencváros, 50-times-capped international Csiki won two top-flight titles and three domestic cups with the Budapest side, becoming a regular in the team from the moment she was handed her senior debut at just 15 years old.
Csiki wanted to push herself further and in 2020, she moved to UEFA Women’s Champions League side Häcken, for whom she made 89 appearances across four seasons, and grew as a player as a result of her constant first-team exposure.
Having won the first-ever Women's Hungarian Ballon d'Or in January, Csiki is excited by the season ahead, and is looking forward to stepping out in front of the supporters at Chigwell Construction Stadium and displaying her creativity in east London.
Anna, welcome to West Ham United! How does it feel to be here?
“Thank you! I’m really excited to be here and I can’t wait to get started!”
What was it about the Club that made you want to join?
“I had a great talk with the coach and she explained her plans to me. Everything I’ve heard about the Club made me feel like this is the right decision for me.”
You’ve attained so much first-team experience so far, starting your career at Ferencváros and winning everything you could. How much did you enjoy your time in Hungary?
“Growing up in Hungary, Ferencváros is the biggest club on both the men’s and women’s side, so it was a no-brainer that one day I would want to play for them.
“We won the cup and won the league multiple times, and I’m really proud of that. I think those years made me the person and player that I am today.
“The fact I made my debut for the senior team at 15 years old and played many games during those years made me feel that I was ready to move on, and then I went to Sweden when I was 20 years old. That was the best decision to take the next step in my career. Those years made me a great player, for sure.”
Talk to us a bit more about your time in Sweden with BK Häcken FF, and playing in the Champions League!
“I spent four years in Sweden, so I think that says a lot about how much I enjoyed being and playing there. The Champions League is the biggest stage in football, and I feel I really learned a lot. I got a lot of experience from those games."
You’ve also played for your national team. How special is it for you to play for Hungary?
“The Champions League and the national team I feel are the two biggest stages in football. Playing for the national team is the biggest honour and every time I’m called up, I’m so excited to go home and play with my friends that I played with at Ferencváros, and grew up with.”
And you won the first Women's Hungarian Ballon d'Or in January!
"I didn't even know about it! I got a call one day and they told me I won the Ballon d'Or in Hungary. It was a bit weird but I'm really proud of that. Hopefully it's not the last one for me, I'm aiming for the next one as well. It was a nice feeling."
You then made the move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer and became the first Hungarian player to play in the WSL!
“It’s still really special to me, my family and my friends. I hope I’m not the last. I keep encouraging everyone at home to keep training, keep pushing themselves, and hopefully one day I won’t be the only one playing in the WSL.”
How did you find your first season in England?
“It was different compared to the Swedish league. The English league is the most competitive league in the world, in my opinion. It’s a lot faster, tactical, physical. It took some time for me to adapt. This season I’m going in with more experience and more hunger to get more minutes, and help the team more."
What can the fans expect to see from you on the pitch?
“I’m a left-footed, offensive player who likes to have the ball at my feet. I’m creative, I like to create chances and goalscoring opportunities. I’m definitely someone who wants to score goals and make assists.”
How excited are you to get started at West Ham?
"I'm really, really excited to get started, to put the shirt on, run out at the stadium and play with the girls in front of the fans."
