After penning a new contract at West Ham United, women’s team goalkeeper Megan Walsh is striving to push on in east London as preparations begin for the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League campaign.
The shot-stopper committed her future to the Club on Tuesday, signing a two-year extension as manager Rehanne Skinner retained one of the most senior members of her squad. The 30-year-old boasts the highest number of WSL appearances in the side, having previously represented Brighton & Hove Albion, Yeovil Town, Notts County and Everton in the top flight.
Last term, 2024 summer arrival Kinga Szemik played all of the Hammers’ league fixtures, but Walsh’s presence in the team was still felt as she helped and guided the Poland international into a new squad and league - while providing an experienced head for young shot-stopper Katie O’Hanlon, who recently penned her first professional contract.
And when she was called upon in the Subway® Women’s League Cup, the Republic of Ireland international played a starring role in Skinner’s side’s progression to the semi-finals of the competition. After she kept a clean sheet against Southampton in the group stages, Walsh - donning the captain’s armband - showcased a Player of the Match performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight, making seven saves as the Irons clinched a memorable 2-1 away victory.
Walsh was part of the group that returned to training at Chadwell Heath on Monday as pre-season officially got underway - and the No25 is relishing the opportunity to help the women’s team maintain their upward trajectory off the back of the news of her contract extension.
Megan, congratulations on signing a new contract at West Ham. How good does it feel to have extended your stay at the Club?
“I’m excited to still be here. I’ve had two years, got settled in and now two more years, I’m looking to push on.”
What were the factors in you wanting to sign a new contract at the Club?
“If you look at the growth of the Club in the last two years that I’ve been here, with the work that Rehanne’s done, it’s come on leaps and bounds. So to push on even further will be good.”
You joined West Ham in the summer of 2023, so you’ve been at the Club for two years now. How much have you enjoyed the last two seasons?
“I’ve really enjoyed it. The atmosphere in the squad is good and we’ve got a good bunch of girls.”
In the same summer, goalkeeping coach Chris Pipe arrived, so you’ve trained day-in day-out with him. What’s he like as a coach?
“He’s a good coach. He likes attention to detail, so it’s nice that he picks up on little things that other coaches might not have picked up on.”
Goalkeepers train a lot away from the main outfield squad. How tight is the goalkeeping union at the Club?
“We are tight-knitted. We’re different characters but we do have a laugh and get some good hard work done.”
One of those goalkeepers is Katie O’Hanlon, who recently signed her first professional contract at the Club. How happy are you for her and how much has she progressed?
“I’m really happy for her. You can see the hard work she’s put in, gone out on loan and got a lot of minutes, so it’s really good for her and her career. [She’s progressed] massively and she’s still young, so she can really push on further as well.”
You joined the Club from Brighton & Hove Albion and have also played for Yeovil, Notts County and Everton in the top flight. You’ve made over 100 appearances in the WSL - do you act as a mentor to players like Katie and the players who are new to the league?
“I think so. Where Katie was last season on her loan, I’ve been in a similar situation where you're facing a lot of action, so I can help her in training and give her a few tips.”
Pre-season is here - how much are you looking forward to being back with the team and working to prepare for another WSL season?
“I’m really looking forward to it, this is where the hard work starts. Getting the diving in and getting started!”
What do you think can be achieved this season?
“We’re just looking to push on further, get more points and more wins. I think we can do that with the team we’ve got.”
