Maika Hamano

Maika Hamano (, Hamano Maika, ; born 9 May 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Chelsea and the Japan national team.

Club career Hamano made her WE League debut for INAC Kobe Leonessa on 12 September 2021 in a 5–0 victory over Omiya Ardija Ventus.

On 13 January 2023, Hamano signed for Chelsea and was immediately loaned to Swedish side Hammarby IF. There, she made 17 league appearances and scored 7 goals during the 2023 Damallsvenskan season,

After recovering from injury, Hamano made her Women's Super League debut for Chelsea on 17 December 2023 in a 3–0 away win over Bristol City, replacing Lauren James in the second half.

On 4 January 2026, Hamano joined fellow Women's Super League side Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the remainder of the season.

International career In July 2022, Hamano was included in the Japan under-20 team for the 2022 U-20 World Cup, where they finished as runners-up after losing to Spain in the final. She won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, and the Silver Boot as the second-best goalscorer behind Inma Gabarro.

Hamano made her senior team debut on 6 October 2022, when she came on as a substitute for Mina Tanaka in the 69th minute of a 2–0 friendly win over Nigeria. On 13 June 2023, she was included in Japan's 23-player squad for the 2023 World Cup.

In June 2024, Hamano was included in the Japan squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Hamano was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. A year later, she won the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup with Japan, the country's third continental title and first since 2018, scoring the only goal of the match in a 1–0 final victory over Australia.

Career statistics Club

International

Hammarby IF Swedish Cup: 2022–23

Japan U16 AFC U-16 Women's Championship: 2019

Japan AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Golden Ball: 2022 AFC Asian International Player of the Year: 2025 AFC Youth Player of the Year: 2022 FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Team of the Tournament: Australia 2026