Fuka Tsunoda did not need many minutes to demonstrate her potential during her first season in England. The Japanese midfielder played only 202 minutes across seven Women’s Super League appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion, yet scored twice. Her second goal was particularly significant, giving Brighton the lead in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in May.
Now, Crystal Palace will attempt to discover what Tsunoda can produce with more consistent opportunities. Palace have signed the 21-year-old on a season-long loan as Jo Potter strengthens her squad following promotion back to the WSL. It is a move that provides the Eagles with top-flight potential while allowing Brighton to continue developing a player whose route to regular football remains limited.
Transfer snapshot
- Player: Fuka Tsunoda
- Age: 21
- Position: Midfielder
- Parent club: Brighton & Hove Albion
- Loan club: Crystal Palace
- Deal: Season-long loan
- Brighton record: 13 appearances in all competitions
- WSL record: Seven appearances and two goals
- Previous club: Urawa Reds
- Urawa honours: Five domestic trophies, including two league titles
- International experience: Japan Under-16, Under-19 and Under-20
- Palace context: Returning to the WSL after finishing second in WSL2
Why are Brighton loaning Tsunoda?
Fuka Tsunoda only joined Brighton from Urawa Reds in September 2025. Her first campaign was therefore partly about adapting to a new country, league and football culture. She had previously spent her entire senior career in Japan, making 47 appearances and winning five domestic trophies with Urawa, including two league titles.
Despite her lack of WSL experience, Tsunoda showed that she could make an impact. Her first Brighton goal came after she reacted quickly to punish a goalkeeping error against Aston Villa. She then scored the opening goal against Arsenal in a draw that helped confirm Manchester City as league champions. Brighton & Hove Albion
The difficulty was turning those moments into sustained involvement. Five of her seven league appearances came from the bench, while she started only twice. Remaining at Brighton could have meant another season competing for occasional minutes in a crowded squad. A loan allows the club to retain control of her development without asking her to spend an important year on the fringes.
What can Tsunoda offer Crystal Palace?
Palace are returning to the WSL after finishing second in WSL2 and earning promotion at the first attempt. Potter’s team finished level on points with champions Birmingham City, missing the title only through goal difference. Their objective now changes from chasing promotion to establishing themselves in the top flight.
That requires more quality throughout the squad rather than only an improved starting eleven. Fuka Tsunoda gives Palace another central-midfield option with experience of both possession-focused football in Japan and the increased speed of the WSL. Her limited Brighton appearances also suggest she is willing to move forward and attack scoring positions rather than remaining exclusively in deeper areas.
Two goals from seven league appearances should not be treated as evidence that she will become a prolific midfielder. They do, however, show a useful awareness around the penalty area. Her experience of winning titles with Urawa also means she arrives with more senior football behind her than her age might suggest.
An opportunity rather than a guarantee
The loan should not automatically be viewed as a promise of regular starts. Palace have already added American midfielder Sierra Enge as part of their summer recruitment, while Potter retains several players who led the club back into the WSL. Tsunoda will still have to compete for her place.
The difference is that Palace are more likely to provide a realistic pathway to meaningful minutes.
For a promoted club, her technical quality and potential represent an attractive gamble. For Tsunoda, the season offers an opportunity to prove that her Brighton goals were more than isolated moments. And for Brighton, it provides a clearer test of whether she can develop into a regular WSL midfielder.
Tsunoda has already shown that she can influence individual matches. Her season at Palace will reveal whether she can do it consistently.
Source: Crystal Palace
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