In her press conference ahead of her side’s fixture against Manchester United last month, West Ham United women’s team manager Rehanne Skinner was asked about midfielder Oona Siren’s performances this season - her first campaign in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The praise could not have been more gushing.
“The time it's taken her to adapt to the league is phenomenal, quite frankly,” said Skinner.
“She gets around the pitch unbelievably well and out of possession, she's given us a real energy in the centre of the park. She's very unassuming and gets her head down and doesn't really say a lot, but just does her job really, really well every single day.”
The 24-year-old made the move to England from Norwegian side LSK Kvinner last summer, and had to wait patiently to make her first start in Claret and Blue, which came against Everton on Sunday 13 October.
Since then, the Finland international, who will be hoping to represent her country in the summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, has started every WSL fixture, taking every game in her stride as she battles at the heart of the Hammers' midfield, while forming a strong connection with fellow midfielder and captain Katrina Gorry.
“I feel like time has been going so quickly!” admitted Siren. “I feel like I just came here and now the season’s already done!
“I have really enjoyed this season. I remember when I first came, it felt like the intensity was really high, and it’s nice to see that I have been developing all the time.
“I still have a lot of things to develop, but I have really enjoyed my first season here.
“Our team and game has developed throughout the season, which is great to see, and it’s been nice to see that we’ve been rewarded with the results as well.
“I feel like we have gained a lot of confidence and we have got a lot better, both our attacking play and defending.
“She (Skinner) has helped me a lot. I think it’s made easier because before every game we have a really clear plan, and we really want to play as a team. Of course, I have really good players around me, so that has helped me to adapt to the intensity of the league.”
While Siren joined the Club in the summer, it came midway through her former side’s Toppserien Women campaign, as their season started in March 2024. But she is thriving with every minute she plays, showing no signs of wanting a rest.
However, she will have a slight break from action when the women’s team conclude their 2024/25 season on Saturday, with a trip to eleventh-place Leicester City.
The Hammers will be hoping to end the term with three points at King Power Stadium, something they achieved when the two teams met back in November as Viviane Asseyi’s goal in first-half stoppage time secured a 1-0 success in east London - the Irons’ first win of the campaign.
“I remember it was a really equal game,” said Siren. “I think we scored in the first half, and I remember it was a really great feeling to get that first win. It was also my first win for West Ham and in the WSL, so it was a really good memory from this season.
“There has been a really good energy in training this week, and, after the last game (a 3-2 loss against Aston Villa), I feel like everyone wants to do better, and that has shown in training this week.
“It is important for us to win the last game of the season, and end the season well.”
