Brighton pay £100k release clause for Japan defender Moeka Minami | OneFootball

Brighton have made their first move in the transfer market this summer, with the Seagulls paying the £100k release clause for Roma defender Moeka Minami.

Who is Moeka Minami?

Moeka Minami is a highly rated Japanese international who has played in Serie A for the past three years where she as built up an impressive reputation as a solid defender.

When she signed for Roma, Minami made her first trip abroad during her professional career that began with the Urawa Reds in Japan.

During her career in Italy Minami enjoyed all kinds of success and it will be hard for the 26-year-old to live up to her first season when winning the Scudetto and the Supercoppa in 2022.

After a stellar first season with the Giallorossi, the Japanese defender was named in the Serie A team of the year and earned a contract extension for all of her hard work.

Minami featured for Japan in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cup and while she hasn’t been starting for her country in more recent games, she has remained a regular feature in the squad.

Brighton will feel like they have secured a real steal after paying Minami’s £100k release clause as they add a huge new presence to an already solid defence.

Will Minami improve Brighton?

Last year Brighton enjoyed their best league finish in the WSL since they were promoted from the Championship in 2018.

After finishing fifth in the league, just one point behind high-flying Manchester United, hopes are high for the Seagulls ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Of course next year will be slightly different to most previous campaigns as the league prepares for the WSL expansion that is set to be in full effect by the following year.

While Minami is coming in for Brighton, the WSL side has had to replace plenty of players this summer with five stars departing the club as their contracts expire.

Brighton released players