West Ham United is celebrating Black History Month 2025 with a series, Discovering, in which we focus on our players’ backgrounds, heritage and the unique experiences that shaped their journeys to east London.
Lifelong Hammer and award-winning Goaldiggers podcaster Philippa Jennings is our host as we speak to Viviane Asseyi in our fourth episode, shining a light on her story, culture, life and football career.
Listen to the full interview on Spotify by clicking HERE.
What was it like growing up in Quevilly and playing football as a young girl?
“I’m so thankful because where I grew up, football was everywhere. When I got home from school, I had to do my homework, my Mum never let me go until I’d done it, but my friends and I would just be playing football all of the time.”
You moved to Paris at 14 to play football at Clairefontaine. What was it like moving away from home at such a young age?
“It was always my dream to play football, football was on my mind since I was a kid. I had to do some tests, but we then received a letter to say I was going to Clairefontaine, and my Mum cried, all of my family cried. For them, it (me leaving home) was hard, but I didn’t realise I would be away, I was just focused on football and so happy. I knew that I would come back every weekend, so I was so happy to go.
“It made me the woman I am now, and my family was always there to support me.”
Football has taken you to lots of different places. How do you keep that connection to home, to your family and your French Gabonese heritage?
“My family supports me, I’m so, so thankful. My Mum is really behind me. My Dad left my Mum when I was young, so she had to be the Dad, the Mum, everything. We’re always on the phone. She helps me when I have my down moments and my good moments.
“My friends [also help me]. Thanks to football, I’ve found good friends and I’m still friends with them now. They know how to help me, I help them. You miss weddings, babies being born, a lot of important things [because of football], but they’re always there for me.”
You’ve been at the Club for a few years now. When you arrived, who made you feel welcome?
“I would say everybody. When you arrive here, you see it’s a family Club. Of course, I would say Hawa Cissoko. I’d already played with her before and she really helped me when I came here. I had a really good welcome here.
“I wanted to play football because you get to share memories with people. You always learn from other people. I know it’s important for new players [to feel settled]. For example [Manuela] Paví - she doesn’t speak English and is far from her family. We have to give to each other.”
What was it like being Gabonese in France?
“It was good. In France, there’s a lot of culture and also a lot of Gabonese [people]. When I grew up, there was a lot of Gabonese, African music every day. Every Sunday we would eat with all the family, with music from midnight to midnight. It’s important to never forget where you come from, your origin. I feel that’s important.”
What’s your favourite thing about Gabonese culture?
“The food! I love it. My favourite food is more African, but I love it when my Mum and family do rice, plantain - these are my favourites. My Mum still gives them to me now and I tell her they’re not good for a professional footballer, but she says, ‘They give you the strength to run every day!’.
“Also music. I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. On my phone there are a lot of playlists. I’m a music girl and I think the girls have had enough of me in the dressing room!”
Is there anything you would like to say to girls who are starting, or are in the middle of their footballing journeys, who would like to emulate your career?
“Follow your dreams. Believe in yourself. Don’t listen to people who say, ‘You’re not good enough’. When France won the World Cup in 1998, I looked at my Mum and said, ‘Buy me a football, I want to be a professional’. Everyone was laughing, but at the end, this is what I’m doing. I knew I would always work for that, it was my dream, and every day I’m fighting for it."
You have a lovely relationship with your Mum. Is there anyone else in your family, friends or local community who helped push you along with your footballing dream?
“All of my Uncles, Aunties, they grew up with me. They pushed me a lot. Also my friends from home because they were with me when we did all of the testing [for Clairefontaine]. They were always pushing me. When the team wins or I win an individual trophy, they are always there, sending me a message after the game.”
Did you have any role models growing up?
“I would say Serena Williams. When I was 14, I needed to choose between playing tennis and football at Clairefontaine. I love her mentality, she never gives up. It doesn’t matter what people say to her. She keeps going and that’s the mentality I have. I also like LeBron James. I like the people who work for what they want. It’s important to never give up and they are really good examples for me.”
So you were good at football and good at tennis? What made you go down the footballing route?
“I’m someone who likes to be with other people, sharing. I love tennis, but it was more about myself. Football is your performance, but you share so many things with other people.”
Do you have a favourite place you’ve lived?
“I love London. I always say playing in France is not the same because it’s my country, it’s my home. In Germany it was different because it was during COVID-19. When I arrived here, I loved it. I was like, ‘Wow’. There are so many things to do, it’s just the weather I don’t like!”
This series is called ‘Discovering’. Have you discovered something about your culture or heritage recently, or is there something you’re doing at the moment to stay close with your culture?
“Me and my family are thinking about doing more in Africa because I’ve never been there, which is crazy! We’re looking to do something big there next summer. We were thinking about creating a football pitch, or something like that! It would be important. My family who live there tell me everyone is watching my games. The way they talked about the people in Gabon, watching me at the World Cup, it was crazy. I feel like I need to do something to say thank you!”
How do you feel about being a Black woman playing in the WSL, and representing other Black women on the pitch?
"I feel good. When I arrived, it (how many Black players were in the WSL) was one of the first things that I saw because I can compare it with other countries and you feel valued here. I was kind of shocked as people are doing things [about it], but not as much as they are doing here. I think it's a good example for every league and for the world. It's important people feel understood."
