West Ham sign keeper Talbert
West Ham United Women have bolstered their ranks with the acquisition of 24-year-old goalkeeper, Katelin Talbert Credit: None
West Ham United Women have bolstered their ranks with the acquisition of 24-year-old goalkeeper, Katelin Talbert, previously of Campeonato Nacional Feminino champions SL Benfica.
The announcement has come with as Talbert is set to be loaned to Swedish side, Djurgårdens IF, for the duration of the 2023/24 season, pending international clearance.
After finalizing her contract at Chadwell Heath, an elated Talbert expressed her gratitude and ambition: “I'm very happy to sign with this amazing club... I’m excited by the opportunity to work hard in Sweden and then be ready to return back to east London next season. Playing in the WSL has always been a dream of mine... I couldn’t be more ready to take it on!”
West Ham's General Manager, Aidan Boxall, highlighted the long-term interest the club had in Talbert.
“She is somebody that we’ve worked with before and have been tracking her progress for a little while now," he noted.
Boxall also provided insight into the loan move, stating, "Katelin is heading out to Sweden, where she will accumulate the necessary points to meet the Governing Body Endorsements [GBE] for international player visas, whilst also playing top-flight football at a great club in Sweden."
The Californian began her football journey in the United States at Humboldt State University.
Her career saw her touch Icelandic shores with Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar (FH) in the Icelandic Second Division and later the heights of Portugal with Benfica.
It was in Portugal where she made 23 appearances, clinching multiple titles and even featuring in the UEFA Women’s Champions League against stalwarts like FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich.
Interestingly, Talbert is no newcomer to Chadwell Heath. In the autumn of 2021, she had spent several months training with West Ham before moving to Portugal.
