West Ham United sign Brighton defender Li Mengwen on loan | OneFootball

West Ham United have completed the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion defender Li Mengwen on a season-long loan deal.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Hammers this evening.

The 29-year-old defender joined parent club Brighton & Hove Albion from Chinese side Jiangsu last summer. The player made 11 appearances for the Sussex club in the Barclays Women’s Super League in 2023/2024.

On the international stage, Mengwen has been capped by China on 23 occasions at senior level.

After joining West Ham United, Mengwen said “I’m delighted to be joining West Ham United. It has felt like a bit of a rollercoaster over the last 24 hours as this decision happened very quickly, but now that I am here, I am so excited.

“I feel very proud to be a Chinese player playing in the Barclays Women’s Super League, and I’m truly honoured to be the first Chinese player to play for West Ham United.

“I am a determined, resilient player who will never give up. The experience that I’ve had and the pressure that I have played under throughout my career drives me to be a better player. Now that I am here, I want to do my very best in a West Ham shirt and help the team as much as I can.”

Mengwen is West Ham United’s eighth signing of the summer transfer window.