Manchester City has recently made a significant addition to their team by signing goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, making her the fourth Japanese player in Gareth Taylor’s squad. Yamashita, who is 28 years old, joins the Women’s Super League runners-up from the Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa on a three-year contract. This move comes after the recruitment of her international teammates Risa Shimizu and Aoba Fujino from West Ham and Tokyo Verdy Beleza, respectively, earlier in the summer. Additionally, midfielder Yui Hasegawa joined City from West Ham in September 2022.
Expressing her excitement about joining the team, Yamashita stated, “I feel very honoured to be here. I am very hungry. I’ve won various trophies in Asia, but to level up myself, I felt the need to take on a challenge. It’s a famous club that everyone knows, and even now, it feels unbelievable to me.” She also mentioned her previous experience playing with Yui Hasegawa at Beleza and looks forward to reuniting on the field with her.
Yamashita, who has earned 74 caps, becomes City’s fifth summer signing, following the arrival of WSL record goalscorer Vivienne Miedema and 18-year-old goalkeeper Eve Annets. The competition for the No 1 spot, previously held by Khiara Keating, is expected to intensify with the addition of Yamashita and Annets to the squad.
Manager Gareth Taylor expressed his anticipation of welcoming Yamashita to the team, emphasizing her international experience as a valuable asset. Despite the departure of seven players, including captain Steph Houghton and goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, City has managed to strengthen their squad significantly.
In other transfer news, Manchester United unveiled the signing of Canadian midfielder Simi Awujo from the University of Southern California on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old, who has 19 caps, expressed her excitement about joining the club.
Aston Villa also made a notable addition by bringing in Netherlands winger Chasity Grant on a three-year contract. Grant, who made her international debut in February 2022, is the seventh summer signing for Villa, showcasing their commitment to bolstering the team for the upcoming season.
Moreover, Chelsea saw midfielder Katerina Svitkova depart for Slavia Prague after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Czech club. Svitkova, who struggled with injuries during her time at Chelsea, looks to reignite her career with Slavia Prague.
Overall, the Women’s Super League continues to witness significant transfer activity as teams prepare for the upcoming season, with notable signings and departures shaping the landscape of women’s football in England.
