West Ham United Ladies are delighted to announce that Vyan Sampson has agreed professional terms with the team.
Sampson signs a deal with the Irons after seven years on the books with Arsenal, having made three appearances for West Ham at the end of last campaign in the Premier League Southern Division.
“I’m just really happy to be here,” Sampson told West Ham TV. “It means a lot to be here with West Ham and be able to help take the club forward.
“I came to West Ham to do some training and I fell in love with the club. West Ham has helped me to enjoy football again after a long while, and now I’ve signed I’m really glad to be here.”
I came to West Ham to do some training and I fell in love with the club. Now I've signed, I'm really glad to be here.
Vyan Sampson
A graduate of Arsenal Ladies’ Centre of Excellence, Sampson has also represented England at Under-19s and U17s level, making four appearances for the U19s.
The centre-back made her professional debut for the Gunners in 2014, at the age of 18, in the side’s final WSL game of that season a – 3-1 win over Everton.
Having watched Sampson progress since initially beginning training with West Ham earlier this year, General Manager Karen Ray is thrilled to see the defender make the transition to full-time professional with the Hammers.
Ray said: “Vyan has proven over the past five months what a true professional she is. The attention to detail allows her to achieve the marginal gains required to be a full time elite footballer.
“Being able to provide a home for Vyan is something we are very proud of. She is a deserving character who will undoubtedly achieve her career ambitions under the guidance of Matt Beard.”
Having gone through two surgeries on her knee, Sampson has felt the love and support of the West Ham family since making her debut for the side back in April.
The centre-back is now ready to use the first season in the FA Women’s Super League as a platform to show what she can do.
Sampson continued: “Everyone was very welcoming to me since I first came here. When I got here, everyone welcomed me with open arms. It was like a family.
“Even when I didn’t have anything to give them, everybody gave what they had to me. They made sure I was alright, they looked after me and they made sure my injury troubles were okay.
“They gave me the confidence to push forward. It’s like a family club here and everybody wants the same thing, and everybody works towards the same thing.
“I’m so excited to meet everybody and start this new journey.”
Season Tickets for West Ham United Ladies’ first campaign in the FA Women’s Super League are on sale now!
You can follow the Ladies’ journey into the WSL in person from just £15! Follow the link here for more information!
