Manchester City have confirmed the arrival of a second new goalkeeper this summer, with six-time Japanese top-flight winner Ayaka Yamashita signing a three-year contract.
The 28-year-old joins the Cityzens from WE League side INAC Kobe Leonessa, and becomes the club’s third Japanese signing this transfer window so far, joining Risa Shimizu and Aoba Fujino.
Yamashita arrives in England having enjoyed a hugely illustrious spell in her home country, with 74 senior international caps to her name and 17 major honours.
Talking about what she wants to achieve at City, she said: “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.”
Yamashita will wear the number 31 shirt and becomes the first women’s player to do so, since City’s professional relaunch in 2014.
“Last season was really close [for City], I thought that while watching the games from Japan,” she added. “I want to support the team in winning titles and contribute to the team.”
City’s managing director, Charlotte O’Neill added: “It’s been a pleasure watching [Yamashita] on the world stage during her second Olympics these last few weeks, and as we continue to evolve, having a player with attributes like [hers] will help us challenge for honours for years to come.”
Yamashita’s arrival comes just four days after City announced they had onboarded England youth goalkeeper Eve Annets, from Reading following their withdrawal from the Championship.
The club now boasts a selection of four high-performing goalkeepers ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, where they are hungry for success after losing out to Chelsea on goal difference last season.
Yamashita and Annets will sit alongside the Women’s Super League’s most recent Golden Glove winner Khiara Keating. They are both much needed additions following Scotland international Sandy MacIver’s injury and the departure of Ellie Roebuck to Barcelona.
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