Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of Maika Hamano on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season. The Japanese midfielder began her career with Cerezo Osaka Sakai before joining INAC Kobe Leonessa in Japan’s top flight, where she enjoyed her breakthrough season at just 17 years old.
Hamano’s impressive form in the WE League earned her a move to WSL club Chelsea in January 2023. Since arriving in England, she has made 45 appearances for the Blues, scoring six goals, including two in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The 20-year-old also brings significant international experience to north London. Hamano made her senior debut for Japan in October 2022 and featured at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She was also part of the Japan squads for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, which Japan went on to win.
Words from Maika Hamano and Head Coach Martin Ho
Maika Hamano said: “Watching the team this season, I really felt they’ve been playing some great football and I thought if I joined this team, I could develop a lot as a player.
“I want to show fans the connection with my team-mates and exciting plays. At the end of the day, football is about winning and I’ll do my best to contribute to the team’s success.”
Head Coach Martin Ho said: “We are pleased to welcome Maika to Tottenham Hotspur. Maika is a technically gifted and intelligent attacking player who brings creativity, movement and composure in the final third. She has experience at the highest level and will add quality and depth to our attacking options.
“This is a good opportunity for Maika to continue her development in a demanding environment, and we are looking forward to working with her for the remainder of the season.”
Source: Tottenham Hotspur
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