Liverpool Women have made their third signing of the January transfer window with Japanese international Fuka Nagano signing on the dotted line.
The 23-year-old joins the Reds from the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA.
A former Asian Young Footballer of the Year and winner of the Golden Ball at the U20 World Cup, where she captained her nation, Nagano broke through as a teenager.
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She started with Urawa Reds in Japan’s top division, winning a league title before making the switch to South Korea for a season, collecting another title with Hyundai Steel Red Angels in Incheon.
Nagano returned to Japan for seasons with Chifure AS Elfin in Saitama and Mynavi Sendai before a move to America last year.
LFC Women manager Matt Beard said: “We’re delighted to bring Fuka to Liverpool. She’s a versatile midfield player who can play in the holding role or as an attacking option.
“She’s excellent on the ball, creative and tactically astute while her international experience with Japan speaks for itself.
“In club football she’s played in a highly tactical league in Japan but also in America, which is an athletic and transitional league, and the WSL is probably midway between the two.”
Nagano won the U20 World Cup with Japan in 2018, scoring in the final after finishing runner-up two years earlier. She made her debut with the senior team in the same year and has now made 34 appearances for her country.
She said: “I’m very happy to join such a great team and club. I’m really pleased to play for a club that has a great history.
“As part of the team, I’m ready to give my everything and willing to work as hard as I can. Yesterday was my first day coming to Liverpool and I can’t wait to see more of this lovely city already.”
And in terms of what the Reds’ fans could expect to see from her, Nagano was very clear.
She said: “I’m a type of player who creates scoring chances with passes from the midfield. As toughness is a must in this league, I want to adapt to the strength and show the fans what I’m capable of.”
Nagano becomes LFC Women’s third signing of the January window, following the arrival of Gemma Bonner and Sofie Lundgaard.
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