Man City sign ‘impressive’ Japan international in third summer transfer

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Japan international Aoba Fujino on a three-year deal.

Fujino joins Gareth Taylor’s side from WE League club Tokyo Verdy Beleza, becoming their third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Vivianne Miedema and Risa Shimizu. The 20-year-old has penned a deal that will keep her at City until the summer of 2027 and will wear the number 20 shirt for the upcoming Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign.

The forward will join up with her new City teammates at the inaugural Perth International Football Cup later this month after the Paris Olympics. Fujino is a two-time winner of the WE League Valuable Player Award during her three seasons with Tokyo Verdy Beleza, having also claimed the Empress Cup.

She made 51 appearances for the Japanese side, scoring 24 goals and providing 17 assists. A breakout star at the 2023 World Cup where she became her nation’s youngest ever goalscorer in the tournament, Fujino is looking forward to testing herself in the WSL.

“In the league, this is a top-level club both physically and technically,” she said. “That is something that I find very appealing, the size of the team and the organisation. It’s very important to play in this kind of environment. This is a very big club with a lot of history, so I’m really excited to come here.”

Manchester City Women Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill, added: “Aoba is an impressive striker whose signing shows our ambition and intent to challenge for silverware if you play for City. She will be a fantastic addition to our squad.”

Head Coach Gareth Taylor continued: “Aoba brings even more excitement and technical quality to the team. She is still young but has already established herself on the international stage and we are delighted to bring her to our club.”