Ayaka Yamashita talks of Ederson admiration and trophy hunger after sealing three-year Manchester City switch
AYAKA YAMASHITA is hungry to make a trophy-winning mark at Manchester City after sealing a three-year move to the WSL giants.
And the goalkeeper is relishing being the first pro City female player to have the same shirt number as the club's Prem stopper Ederson.
Today the Cityzens unveiled Yamashita, who began her senior career at Japanese side Tokyo Beleza in 2014, as their newest signing in this summer’s transfer window.
The deal for the shot stopper, who won six top tier titles in her country, will run until the summer of 2027.
Last year she was named as Japan’s Women’s Football League’s most outstanding player.
This summer Man City, who hope to end their title dry spell with their last win coming in 2016, have boosted their attacking and midfield options.
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Ex-Arsenal ace Vivianne Miedema and Japan forward Aoba Fujino are among the stars who have joined the side before the WSL’s returns in September.
Yamashita’s switch from Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa sees her reunited at club level with her pal and City midfielder Yui Hasegawa.
The keeper, who was part of the Japan side beaten 1-0 by Emma Hayes’ USA side at the Paris Olympics quarter-finals, will don the number 31 shirt.
Like Ederson, who has lifted 17 major trophies with City including six Prem titles whilst wearing that number, Yamashita hopes to win big.
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The City keeper said: ";During my time at Beleza, I used to play with Yui Hasegawa, who is here now, so she is very encouraging.
"I'm really looking forward to playing with her again.
"It's also exciting to join a team with Ederson, whom I admire, and to wear the same shirt.
"Last season was really close, I thought that while watching the games from Japan.
"I want to support the team in winning titles and contribute to the team.
"Because of my personality, I am very hungry.
"I've won various trophies in Asia, but to level up myself, I felt the need to take on a challenge.
"This is a famous club that everyone knows, and even now, it feels unbelievable to me."
Man City women's managing director Charlotte O’Neill said: "Ayaka is an impressive goalkeeper and serial winner with an even more impressive number of domestic trophies to her name.
"It has been a pleasure watching her on the world stage during her second Olympics these last few weeks.
"As we continue to evolve, having a player with attributes like Ayaka’s will help us challenge for honours for years to come."
Yamashita’s move comes three months after City were beaten to last season’s title on goal difference by Chelsea in Hayes' final season at the Blues helm.
Under Taylor the Manchester giants have taken battles for WSL supremacy to the wire last season and in 2021.
Having won the FA and League Cups under their boss the team are eager to end their wait to win the title for the first time since 2016.
Yamashita joining the ranks will see highly-rated stopper Khiara Keating face competition for a starting spot in Taylor's side.
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The young Lioness has established herself as City’s number one between the sticks having impressed for the team last season.
Last term Keating won the WSL’s Golden Glove award by keeping nine clean sheets in 22 appearances.