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Football London
Football London
Sport
Megan Feringa

Chelsea secure signing of highly-rated Japanese teenager who lit up Under-20s World Cup

Chelsea have announced the signing of highly-rated Japanese teenager Maika Hamano on a four-and-a-half year deal, with the 18-year-old forward set for a loan spell with Swedish side Hammarby IF ahead of the 2023 campaign.

A signing with the future firmly in mind, Hamano arrives to west London off the back of a sensational under-20s Women's World Cup, in which she scooped the tournament's Golden Ball award for player of the tournament and Silver Boot award for the second-most goals scored (four) as she helped Japan to a runners-up finish.

Hamano, who has since represented her country at senior level in reward for her tournament performance, joins the Blues from INAC Kobe Leonessa, the reigning champions of the WE League in her home country, on a contract that sees her remain at Chelsea until the summer of 2027.

On joining the reigning WSL champions, Hamano told the team's website: “I am really proud to sign for a club which in my opinion is number one in the world.”

With a loan spell on the horizon to help develop Hamano with consistent first-team football, Hamano's addition is a nod to the ambition of Chelsea to secure their dominance in the league by ensuring the availability of fresh talent.

On Hamano's signing, manager Emma Hayes commented: “Maika is a fantastic talent, she is a Golden Ball and Silver Boot winner having shone at the Under-20 World Cup last year. We are really looking forward to seeing how Maika develops during her time out on loan with Hammarby IF in Sweden.”

Chelsea return to action this Sunday with a much-anticipated London derby clash away to current runners-up Arsenal.

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