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.
