Player Profile: Maika Hamano
- Her Way To Glory
- Feb 5
- 1 min read
✍️Sophie Granger
Maika Hamano is known for her exceptional technical skills, vision and agility as an attacking player. But how did she get to where she is now?
At just 17, Hamano started her career at Cerezo Osaka Saiki, in the second tier of the Japanese WE League. She then joined first tier football side INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2021.
Hamano made her senior team debut for Japan national team in 2022, winning a 2-0 match against Nigeria. Also in 2022, she made seven appearances for the defending Japanese champions across league and cup competitions.
Playing for her country, Japan got second place at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. She was also awarded the golden ball, which recognises the best player in the tournament.
After Hamano signed for Chelsea in January 2023, Maika immediately went on loan to Swedish side Hammarby IF, scoring goals and making 17 appearances. She returned to Chelsea in September 2023 after suffering from a shoulder injury.
Since then she has stayed at Chelsea, scored many goals and made lots of appearances, whilst also playing for her country at the same time. She is the definition of talent, and it will be exciting to see what else her career has in store for her.
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