West Ham Swiss trio of Piubel, Riesen and Wandeler boost east London

West Ham’s Swiss influence brings together Seraina Piubel Nadine Riesen and Leila Wandeler, a blend of experience, youth and fresh ambition that contrasts the club’s long‑term project with the immediate impact each player is already making.

Building a Swiss core

The Hammers have cultivated a strong Swiss connection over the past couple of seasons, now fielding three Switzerland internationals under manager Rita Guarino. Their presence adds depth to a squad that is still establishing itself in the Women’s Super League.

Piubel’s attacking pedigree

Seraina Piubel arrived first, quickly becoming a familiar name for West Ham supporters. Despite an injury‑hit 2025/26 campaign, she scored in a 2‑1 Women’s League Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion in October 2025 and added the second goal in a 2‑0 victory at Aston Villa.

This season she has started every game across all competitions, highlighting her growing importance. In September’s 2‑1 win over London City Lionesses she supplied the pass that set up Kelly Gago’s opener, and her past partnership with Nadine Riesen at FC Zürich Frauen produced back‑to‑back Swiss league titles in 2022 and 2023 and a Swiss Cup in 2022.

Riesen adds defensive experience

Nadine Riesen joined the Hammers in June 2026 from Eintracht Frankfurt on a three‑year deal, becoming Guarino’s fourth summer signing. At 26 she already boasts a career that began at 15 with FC St. Gallen and includes spells at BSC YB Frauen and FC Zürich Frauen.

In Germany she made 69 appearances and recorded nine assists from the 2024/25 season onward. Internationally she has earned more than 40 caps, played every minute of Switzerland’s four matches at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 and scored in the opening group game against Norway. She started West Ham’s recent WSL fixture against Everton at right‑back.

Wandeler’s rising profile

Leila Wandeler arrived in August 2025 from OL Lyonnes on a three‑year contract. The 20‑year‑old forward had already featured for Switzerland at Euro 2025, including the quarter‑final against Spain.

She made 25 appearances in her first English season, netting her inaugural West Ham goal against Charlton Athletic in the Women’s League Cup and providing her first WSL assist against Tottenham Hotspur. Named Young Hammer of the Year for 2025/26, she continued her development by combining with Piubel in the League Cup win over Tottenham and heading the second goal in a 3‑1 comeback over Southampton in the Subway Players Cup.