Saori Takarada has left Leicester City to return to her youth club, Cerezo Osaka Sakai. The midfielder came through the club’s youth ranks and played for their senior team before signing with the Washington Spirit in 2021. With the NWSL side, Takarada won the club’s first-ever league title following a playoff victory over the Chicago Red Stars.
In 2022, she moved to Linköpings FC in Sweden, where she quickly became a key player, making over 40 appearances. Takarada joined Leicester City during the 2024 winter transfer window and went on to make 22 appearances in the Women’s Super League, scoring one goal in her first full campaign with the Foxes.
The 2024/2025 season
Leicester City closed their campaign with a 4–2 win over West Ham United, securing a club-record points total in the WSL. Manager Amandine Miquel successfully navigated a season of highs and lows, steering the team away from relegation. The Foxes scored 21 goals and recorded five wins — all at the King Power Stadium.
Janice Cayman was the team’s top scorer with four goals, followed by Hannah Cain and Shannon O’Brien, who each netted three. With Miquel at the helm, Leicester strengthened their squad by signing Chossenotte, Mouchon, Kees, Swaby, and Mace.
Injuries plagued the squad throughout the season, prompting the club to bring in reinforcements during the winter transfer window. Eiríksdóttir, Clark, and Torres were signed to bolster the side. Despite mounting pressure, Leicester earned a crucial win over Aston Villa in March and drew with Crystal Palace on Matchday 21 before clinching victory against West Ham on the final day.
After the season finale, Miquel reflected:
“For us, not getting relegated was good and now to have this new record is good and we want to keep progressing season after season. It was disappointing to not get the win at Palace, but it was great to get the job done at home, so we’re really happy.
“There were some goals today that I didn’t expect. As long as it goes in you can’t complain and I think everyone did well; not just the ones scoring but those that supplied them as well. Their support has been very important and hopefully next season we bring even more people and enjoy the games with us.”
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