Ireland and West Ham winger Jess Ziu faces long injury lay-off after second ACL tear

Jessica Ziu in action for Ireland during a 3-1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying win over France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on July 16th, 2024.

Ziu in action for Ireland during a 3-1 Euro 2025 qualifying win over France at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in July. Credit: David Ribeiro (ETPhotos)

Ireland international Jess Ziu has suffered a second ACL injury in three years as she looks set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The West Ham United winger sustained the injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday as the hammers prepare for the upcoming WSL campaign.

It’s a bitter blow for the former Shelbourne flier, who missed out on the 2023 World Cup having sustained the previous anterior cruciate ligament injury shortly after moving to London.

That injury kept her out for over a year and, following her return to action last November, she quickly re-established herself in Eileen Gleeson’s international side.

And the Finglas native, 22, will now undergo knee surgery again before recuperating at West Ham’s Chadwell Heath facility.

A club statement said: “West Ham United can confirm that Jess Ziu sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a behind closed doors pre-season friendly on Thursday afternoon.

“The 22-year-old will undergo surgery in due course and will then begin her rehabilitation programme at Chadwell Heath.

“Everyone at the club would like to wish Jess well in her recovery.”

Ziu joined Shels from Rivermount Boys aged 11 and made her debut at 16, helping the club to the Women’s Premier Division title in 2021 before joining West Ham the following summer.

She made her Ireland debut shortly after breaking through at Shels, as a substitute in Ireland’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Northern Ireland in Tallaght in August 2018.



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