Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement for Maika Hamano to join the club on loan from Chelsea for the remainder of the season.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, Maika said: “Watching the team this season, I really felt they have been playing some great football. I thought that if I joined this team, I could develop a lot as a player.
“I want to show fans the connection with my team-mates and play exciting football. At the end of the day, football is about winning and I will do my best to contribute to the team’s success.”
Head Coach Martin Ho added: “We are pleased to welcome Maika to Tottenham Hotspur. She is a technically gifted and intelligent attacking player who brings creativity, movement and composure in the final third. Maika has experience at the highest level and will add quality and depth to our attacking options.
“This is a great opportunity for her to continue her development in a demanding environment, and we are looking forward to working with her for the remainder of the season.”
The 21-year-old forward began her career at Cerezo Osaka Sakai before joining Japanese top-flight side INAC Kobe Leonessa at just 17 in 2021. She made her breakthrough that season, featuring in 16 league matches as INAC finished eight points clear at the top of the WE League.
The following campaign saw Hamano make seven appearances for the defending champions, scoring twice, before she moved to England to join Chelsea in January 2023. She was immediately loaned to Swedish side Hammarby IF, where she impressed with 17 league appearances and seven goals in the Damallsvenskan.
A versatile attacker capable of operating across the frontline, Maika made her Barclays Women’s Super League debut in a 3-0 win over Bristol City in December 2023. She scored her first WSL goal against Aston Villa in April 2024 and went on to make eight league appearances during the 2023/24 season.
The following campaign saw her feature 30 times for Chelsea, scoring six goals in all competitions, including two in the Women’s Champions League. Since arriving in England, she has made 45 appearances in total, with seven coming this season.
At international level, Maika made her senior debut for Japan in October 2022 and featured once at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was later named in Japan’s squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics and began this season among the goals in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, helping Japan lift the trophy while playing alongside Tottenham team-mate Toko Koga.
Add comment
Comments