Everton sign Japanese international defender Kitagawa | OneFootball

Everton have completed the signing of Japanese international defender Hikaru Kitagawa.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Toffees this morning.

The 28-year-old joins Everton from Swedish OBOS Damallsvenskan club BK Häcken where she has spent the last 11 months. Kitagawa has also turned out for Urawa Reds, Albirex Niigata and INAC Kobe Leonessa in her senior playing career to date.

On the international stage, Kitagawa has been capped by Japan on 19 occasions while she has scored two goals for her country.

After sealing her move to Everton, Kitagawa said “I’m very excited to play for Everton. I decided to join this team because I watched them last season and spoke to the head coach.

“Before I signed, I had a chat with Honoka [Hayashi] and she told me about the Club. I felt that Everton is a club with a warm atmosphere. It is a comfortable and friendly place and I am really happy to be a member of this club now.

“It is also great we will play at Goodison Park. It is a new start for the girls to use this stadium and I’m really happy to come here and play with them.”

Kitagawa is Everton’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window.