Japan international Maya Hijikata joins Aston Villa | OneFootball

Maya Hijikata (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Maya Hijikata from Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza, subject to visa approval and international travel clearance.

The 21-year-old striker broke through into the Beleza first team at the age of 17 for the 2021-22 season, and enjoyed her most successful domestic campaign yet last season when she scored seven goals to help them win the league.

Since then, she has played for Japan at senior level as they won the Asian Games in 2023. She also featured at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup the summer before, helping her country to a runner-up finish, and again in 2024 as well as the AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup held in Uzbekistan.

Villa’s director of women’s football Marisa Ewers said: “Maya is a promising and versatile forward, and we’re excited to bring her to Aston Villa.

“She has great technical ability and we believe she is a big part of our future.”

Aston Villa’s transfer activity this summer

Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo has been active in the transfer market this summer, strengthening all areas of the squad. England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck signed from Barcelona, with Dutch defender Lynn Wilms joining from WfL Wolfsburg, alongside compatriot Jill Baijings who confirmed her move from Bayern Munich following last season’s loan spell at Villa Park. Midfielder Lucia Kendall joined the club in a switch from Southampton, and defender Oceane Deslandes moved from Montpellier.

Villa will be without some significant players this season, though, with Scotland international Rachel Corsie retiring earlier in the year, and midfielder Jordan Nobbs – the Women’s Super League’s record appearance maker – opting to sign for Newcastle United.

They also lost their longest-serving player Maz Pacheco to Everton, Danielle Turner to Melbourne City, Ruby-Rae Tucker to Southampton and Sophia Poor to London City Lionesses, as well as Katie Robinson heading out on a season-long loan to Everton.

Villa enjoyed a strong end to the 2024-25 season, winning their last five games in a row to finish sixth in the Women’s Super League. That included an eventful 5-2 home win at Villa Park over Arsenal, where Villa went 4-0 up within an hour.

Robert de Pauw had started the season in charge of the team, announced as manager following Carla Ward’s departure, but left the club with immediate effect in December after just 11 games. Shaun Goater acted as interim boss until Arroyo’s appointment.

Aston Villa begin their WSL campaign this season with an away trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, 7th September.