1. She enjoyed a trophy-laden career in China
Li Mengwen started playing football in 2006 at the age of eleven before joining Jiangsu LFC three years later. The China international has spent the majority of her senior career in the Chinese Women’s Super League.
A versatile player who has excelled as a wing-back and right-back, she has enjoyed a trophy-laden career, with the defender winning three Chinese Cups (2017, 2018 & 2019), two Chinese League Cups (2018 & 2019), one league title and the Chinese Super Cup (both 2019).
2. She has won silverware with her country
Mengwen has established herself as a regular for her country after making her national team debut in a 16-0 win against Tajikistan at the Asian Games in 2018, making 23 appearances to date, having risen through the U17 and U19 ranks.
The 29-year-old has represented her country at the 2020 Olympic Games, the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With her national side, she has even been able to add to her already impressive CV, picking up an Asian Cup winners’ medal in February 2022.
From the south coast to east London 🌊⚒️ pic.twitter.com/BPWnn9M2Tx
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) September 13, 2024
3. She’s the first-ever Chinese player to represent West Ham United!
Mengwen’s arrival in east London is a significant landmark in West Ham United’s history, as she becomes the first-ever Chinese footballer to represent the Hammers.
When she joined French Feminine Division 1 club Paris Saint-Germain in 2022/23 on a season-long loan, she became a rarity in her nation as one of the few footballers to have ventured abroad, before furthering her football knowledge when moving to Brighton & Hove Albion last season following the expiration of her contract at Jiangsu.
“It makes me feel very honoured [to be the first-ever Chinese player to represent West Ham], and I’m very excited. I feel so proud about my country and Chinese players being in the [Barclays] Women’s Super League also,” Mengwen explained.
4. She’s not your stereotypical footballer
Mengwen is not just a talented player on the pitch; her life away from football is filled with a rich variety of interests and activities, with the defender just as comfortable with a pencil or paintbrush in her hands as she is with a ball at her feet.
She uses drawing to achieve a calm and peaceful state of mind when she’s under pressure, and believes it has been beneficial in her storied football career. She has become well-known at both club and national level for taking her paintbrush to her teammates’ boots, so keep an eye out for some creative designs on West Ham players’ boots throughout the upcoming season!
5. She's played in the UEFA Women's Champions League
Mengwen’s career has taken her all around the world, performing on all of the major stages. She boasts a strong international pedigree and experience on one of football's biggest stages, having been involved in Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Wolfsburg last year.
She brings vast experience to the Hammers and will give manager Rehanne Skinner increased options along the defensive line with her high level of versatility, while her knowledge of the game at domestic and international level will be a real asset to the Club for the 2024/25 campaign.
