Risa Shimizu: 10 things you didn’t know | OneFootball

Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Risa Shimizu from fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side West Ham.

The Japan international has penned a three-year deal – keeping her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2027.

Her move to the Club follows a mightily impressive two-year spell at the Hammers which came after a highly successful career in her homeland.

Ahead of the curtain raising on the new campaign, here are 10 things you may or may not know about our latest recruit.

FAMILY AFFAIR

It’s fair to say Shimizu has had a ball at her feet from a young age.

The Japan international started playing football from the age of seven and was influenced into taking up the sport by her two older sisters.

Having been born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture – she and her family moved to Yokahama and in less than a year she joined her local club FC Susukino Ladies.

Then in 2009, aged just 12, Shimizu was accepted into Menima – one of Japan’s most prestigious football academies.

LONG DISTANCE

Not only does Shimizu flourish on the field, but she was also an accomplished long-distance runner before her meteoric rise in football.

Combining her talents in both sports, the now 28-year-old competed in statewide marathon competitions at elementary level.

Although football took precedent soon after, the dependable defender has earned praise throughout her career for her high work-rate and stamina.

This was reflected during her time at West Ham when she started 41 WSL matches across her two seasons in the capital – proving how valuable her marathon running has been to her career.

SHARP SHOOTER

Initially, Shimizu started her career as a striker and was prolific for her local side FC Susukino and during national junior competitions.

Across her early years in Tokyo Verdy Beleza’s academy, she remained a forward but was gradually converted into a midfielder before cementing her place at right-back.

However, her capabilities in the final third have been shown throughout her career due to her composure when arriving in attacking scenarios to either register assists.

WATCH: Shimizu: I’m ready for the challenge

TRIO

Throughout her progressing through Tokyo Verdy Beleza’s youth system, she formed a strong relationship with Yui Hasegawa and Yuka Momiki on and off the pitch.

The trio all broke into the first-team before each moving to pastures new, but they would reform on the international stage where they have all continually represented Japan together.

Now, after arriving at Manchester City, Shimizu will once again share the pitch with Hasegawa as a team-mate.

Meanwhile, Momiki also plays in the Barclays Women’s Super League after joining Leicester in January 2024.

ILLUSTRIOUS

Another example of Shimizu utilising her marathon experience is when she played every league game for Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the 2014 Nadeshiko League season – helping them to the title which ended a five-year wait for the domestic championship.

As fantastic performances in the division continued, she was included in the Nadeshiko League Best XI for the first time in 2017 and was then selected for five straight seasons.

In total, she won 14 trophies in Japan.

MVP

After receiving her first cap for Japan in a 2-0 win over Switzerland in October 2017 and cemented her place as her country’s starting right-back following the 2018 Algarve Cup.

This saw her play at the 2018 Asian Games, 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games.

She was also a member of the Japan squad who won the EAFF East Asian Football Championships in 2019 and 2022 and she was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after the latter where she helped her nation go undefeated.

SWIFTIE

Shimizu has revealed one of her favourite music artists is American singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.

The artist of Shake it Off fame is currently embarking on a world tour and has played venues such as Anfield and Wembley in recent months.

And our latest recruit says her favourite Taylor Swift song is ‘Anti hero’.

ON THE BOX

Risa reveals she likes to take time away from the pitch by watching a film or TV series.

Her favourite genre to view are Japanese dramas!

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

Across her two seasons at West Ham, Shimizu played in all four league assignments against Manchester City.

Although she tasted defeats on each occasion for the Irons, she showcased her ability in each with tireless runs down the right and tough tackles.

What’s more, she orchestrated the east Londoner’s second in a 6-2 win for Gareth Taylor’s team at the Joie Stadium in April 2023 when she burst down the right and slid the ball to Lisa Evans who eventually poked home.

BIG OCCASION

With City returning to the UEFA Champions League in 2024/25 after finishing second in the WSL last term – Shimizu will once again be a valuable asset having operated on the biggest stages.

The most recent example of this is when she helped Japan reach the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament.

En route to the last eight she scored for Nadeshiko in their 3-1 win over Norway in the first knockout round at Wellington Regional Stadium.

With the game finely balanced at 1-1 at half-time, City’s newest recruit scored shortly after the interval before Hinata Miyazawa secured the success.