Manchester City’s women’s team has made a significant signing in the form of Ayaka Yamashita. The Japanese goalkeeper, who previously played for Tokyo Beleza, brings a wealth of experience and success to the team. Yamashita has won six top-tier titles in her home country and was named Japan’s Women’s Football League’s most outstanding player last year.
This transfer is part of Manchester City’s efforts to strengthen their squad and end their dry spell without a title. The club, whose last victory came in 2016, has already made several other notable signings this summer. Vivianne Miedema, a former Arsenal player, and Aoba Fujino, a Japanese forward, are among the stars who have joined the team ahead of the upcoming Women’s Super League (WSL) season.
Yamashita’s arrival at Manchester City also sees her reunited with her friend and teammate Yui Hasegawa. The two previously played together at Tokyo Beleza and will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills at the highest level of women’s football.
One interesting aspect of Yamashita’s signing is her choice of shirt number. She will wear the number 31, the same number worn by Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper in the men’s team, Ederson. This choice reflects Yamashita’s admiration for Ederson and her ambition to achieve similar success at the club. Ederson has won 17 major trophies with Manchester City, including six Premier League titles, while wearing the number 31 shirt.
Yamashita expressed her excitement about joining the team and her hunger for success. She stated that she wants to support the team in winning titles and contribute to their success. Her competitive nature and desire to challenge herself led her to take on this new adventure with Manchester City.
Manchester City’s women’s team is thrilled to have Yamashita on board. The team’s managing director, Charlotte O’Neill, praised her impressive goalkeeping skills and numerous domestic trophies. O’Neill believes that Yamashita’s attributes will help the team compete for honors in the coming years.
Yamashita’s arrival also adds competition for the starting goalkeeper spot. Khiara Keating, who shone for Manchester City last season and won the WSL’s Golden Glove award, will now face competition from the highly-rated Japanese goalkeeper.
Overall, Ayaka Yamashita’s signing is a significant move for Manchester City’s women’s team. Her experience, success, and hunger for trophies will undoubtedly strengthen the team’s chances of winning titles in the upcoming season. With the addition of other talented players, Manchester City is poised to make a strong push for the WSL title and establish themselves as one of the top teams in women’s football.