United States women’s national team midfielder and 2023 NWSL Champion Kristie Mewis is taking her talents to London as she leaves Gotham FC to join Women’s Super League (WSL) side West Ham United.
Mewis and Gotham FC mutually parted ways as the 32-year-old will face an entirely new challenge with West Ham who face a relegation battle. The Hammers sit second from last in the WSL table, have one win from 10 games and have the fewest goals scored in the league with eight.
Kristie Mewis West Ham transfer
United States International, Kristie Mewis, has touched down in east London! pic.twitter.com/XMF4et1xCJ
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) December 22, 2023
We are delighted to welcome United States international Kristie Mewis to the Club! ⚒️
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) December 22, 2023
In 2023 Mewis was lifting a trophy with the NWSL champions, in 2024 she’ll look to prevent West Ham from finishing bottom of the table and getting sent down to the Championship.
Many fans suspect that one of the main reasons for Mewis’ move to West Ham was to be in the same city as her fiancée Sam Kerr who plays for Chelsea. The two announced their engagement earlier this year.
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Mewis said on the club’s website that the transfer to West Ham is a dream come true.
"When I visited London for the first time, I went to my first football match at Upton Park. The culture and energy of West Ham captivated me straightaway, and nothing has ever lived up to that moment -- it was one of the happiest days of my life,” Mewis said.
"It feels like I have come a full circle from that moment and it's incredible to now be officially part of the West Ham family. I will work hard, try to lead by example and give everything for this badge."
This will mark the fourth time in Mewis’ career that she’s played for a club outside of the United States. In 2013 she featured for Canberra United FC in Australia, in 2014 she made seven appearances in Division 1 of Japan’s league and she had a loan spell with Bayern Munich during the 2015-16 season.
Mewis won’t be the only USWNT player competing in the WSL as Mia Fishel and Catarina Macario are both on her fiancée’s team, Chelsea.
In an ironic twist her potential first game for West Ham will be against Chelsea. The Hammers’ next game is an FA Cup clash with the Blues on Jan. 14.
Here were the reactions from fans to Mewis' move to London.
Kristie Mewis going from a club that won their league championship to a club battling relegation is so funny. Love man. Makes you willing to go to the pits of hell. pic.twitter.com/sjzdygS7tu
— d ⎊ (@awfcdreamer) December 20, 2023
kristie mewis moving to west ham for sam kerr but having to pretend it’s cos she fucking loves dagenham is honestly sensational pic.twitter.com/W8xeFGr33e
— el (@apolloawfc) December 22, 2023
With Kristie Mewis going to west ham next month, We have to take a moment to mourn that for the first time in Lynn Williams nwsl career she will be on a team without a Mewis sister! pic.twitter.com/IdJDACvGBw
— Samantha (@shadesofkaylor) December 22, 2023