Leila Wandeler is a Hammer - and her journey to east London has seen her ply her trade in her native Switzerland, play in France’s top tier and represent her country on the biggest stage of them all: at a home European Championships.
Fribourg-born Wandeler’s obsession with football began when she was only four years old, when she would accompany her brother to training at her local team FC Matran. After four years living in Senegal, in 2016, the forward signed for hometown side FC Corminboeuf, where she spent five years whilst also attending the Swiss Football Association's Football Academy in Biel.
Our new No27 then spent time at BSC YB Frauen, but was destined to progress her career outside of Switzerland. Indeed, Wandeler went on trial at French outfit OL Lyonnes at just 17 years old and was subsequently offered a contract at the Première Ligue giants in 2023.
Wandeler was rewarded with her first-team debut in April 2024, but later suffered an injury that kept her out of the first half of the 2024/25 campaign. The injury also halted her debut for Switzerland, as she had to withdraw from their squad - the first she had been called up to - in June 2024.
But she bounced back from injury and after starring for OL Lyonnes' B side, she netted her first senior goal for the club in April 2025 against Nantes. Persistence paid off for Wandeler, who showed great close control to craft an opportunity and volley into the far corner with her weaker left foot. The victory helped Lyon storm to their 18th league title by ten points.
The rewards kept coming for Wandeler, who made her debut for Switzerland in their final warm-up match before UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. She came off the bench in a 4-1 victory at home to the Czech Republic and assisted her side’s fourth of the afternoon, which came after she almost found the net herself, but agonisingly struck the post.
Wandeler clearly impressed Switzerland manager Pia Sundhage, as she was named in their 23-player squad for this summer’s Euros with just one first-team appearance to her name. And she was not just there to make up the numbers. She featured in two of Switzerland’s Group A fixtures, helping her side qualify for the quarter-finals, and then came on as a substitute in their last-eight tie with Spain.
Fresh from a summer that will stay with her forever, Wandeler is ready to get to work in Claret and Blue. Click the picture above to view a photographic journey of our latest signing!
