Manchester City have added experienced Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita to their squad for the forthcoming season.
The 28-year-old has won the Japanese top flight title six times and chose Manchester City as her first club outside Japan – arriving on a 3 year deal until 2027.
She will feel at home immediately as she joins two other new Japanese signings – Auba Fujino and Risa Shimizu – and will have a reunion with former team-mate Yui Hasegawa.
And with Sandy MacIver out long term with an ACL injury she will provide stiff competition for the goalkeeper gloves with Khiara Keating and fellow new arrival Eve Annets with City needing to strengthen their squad for the forthcoming Champions League campaign.
Yamashita will wear the number 31 shirt – the same number as men’s goalkeeper Ederson – and becomes the first women’s player to wear the number since City’s professional relaunch in 2014.
She has 74 international caps for Japan and has won 17 major honours in her career to date.
Yamashita said: “First of all, it is a great honour to join such a wonderful club and team. I feel very honoured to be here.
“Because of my personality, 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.
“During my time at Beleza, I used to play with Yui Hasegawa, who is here now, so she is very encouraging.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with her again.
“It’s also exciting to join a team with Ederson, whom I admire, and to wear the same shirt. I’m really looking forward to it.
“Last season was really close, I thought that while watching the games from Japan. I want to support the team in winning titles and contribute to the team.”
Manchester City Women Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill said: “Ayaka is an impressive goalkeeper and serial winner with an even more impressive number of domestic trophies to her name.
“It has been a pleasure watching her on the world stage during her second Olympics these last few weeks, and as we continue to evolve, having a player with attributes like Ayaka’s will help us challenge for honours for years to come.
“Ayaka will bring a fresh dynamic and even more experience to the team.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We’re delighted to bring Ayaka to Manchester City.
“She is another player who will bring even more international experience into the squad and we’re looking forward to welcoming her to the team.”