Riko Ueki didn’t think her time at West Ham United was going to go as well as it has done when she first arrived in the summer of 2023.
The striker signed from Tokyo Verdy Beleza in her native Japan to take an opportunity in east London, and in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Arriving without speaking any English, Ueki was welcomed by her teammates, including fellow Japan internationals Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi, and soon felt at home in Claret and Blue.
Ueki grew in confidence, both on the pitch and off it thanks to the support from the squad and manager Rehanne Skinner, who gave her the license to be creative. Subsequently, the No9 was voted Young Hammer of the Year at the end of her maiden campaign in England’s top flight - and she felt the love from the fans.
The trust from her manager has been evident. Ueki has featured in every match in all competitions since she arrived at the Club, making 55 appearances to date. She is the Club’s fourth-highest goalscorer in the WSL era and will be pushing to overtake those above her following the news that she has penned a contract extension at West Ham.
Ueki’s journey in Claret and Blue continues, and she can't wait to see how it plays out...
Riko, congratulations on signing a new contract at West Ham United! How does it feel to have extended your stay at the Club?
“Thank you so much! I’m so happy to continue my journey with West Ham."
Why did you want to sign a new contract at the Club?
“I want to continue playing with my teammates and playing for this Club.”
You’ve played in every game since you arrived in 2023, can you believe how well it’s gone so far?
“It’s unbelievable! I didn’t imagine I’d play for West Ham for a long time and play every game on the pitch.”
What do you put that availability down to?
“I don’t really know! I work hard all of the time, it’s one of my strengths, and I guess that’s why I can play every game.”
Of course, you’ve played in every game under Rehanne, how good has she been for your confidence and developing your game?
“She helps me a lot. She teaches me how to get the ball and it’s so helpful, and it’s helped me improve a lot. I’m so happy to play for her and for the Club.
“We have a lot of meetings and they’ve helped me get my goals. Also on the pitch, I couldn’t speak English when I first joined. I didn’t want to speak with other players. But now, I can speak English a little bit and I talk with her on the pitch as well.”
You can speak more than a little bit of English! How proud are you of the way you’ve adapted to a new country and a new league?
“Everyone’s helped me! I couldn’t speak English very well at first, but everyone tried to understand and kept talking with me!”
And now you're helping Yu Endo settle into a new country and a new team. Do you see yourself as a leader in the team?
“When I joined this Club, Risa [Shimizu] and Hono [Hayashi] were here, and they helped me with everything. That’s why I want to help Yu, but I think her English is better than mine! I want to help off the pitch, as well as on the pitch.”
You seem to get on well with all of your teammates, how important are they to you?
“They are so important because everyone helped me [when I arrived], so that’s why I want to help them as well. On the pitch everyone helped me and they’re so important to me!”
Let’s talk about you on the pitch. Last season you reached 50 appearances for the Club and you’ve scored 13 goals over the last two years. Do you have a favourite goal you’ve scored or game you’ve played in?
“Every goal is important for me, but I scored against Tottenham [in May 2024], and that was important for me and the team. I wanted to win the game, but the goal was special.”
In an interview last season you said east London is your second home, why has this Club become so special to you?
“I just love it here! Everyone at West Ham is so kind to me, and I love London as well.”
In your first season you were voted Young Hammer of the Year by the fans, how important have the fans been on your journey at the Club?
“They’ve been so important for me, for us. In every game they help us. Last season’s results at home were great and our home games are a big advantage for us [because of the fans]."
And we go back home on Friday night to face Arsenal?
“I can’t wait! I want to celebrate with our fans and I’ll do my best. I want to win as many games [as possible], I want to celebrate with my teammates and the fans.”
