Saori Takarada

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for WE League club Cerezo Osaka Sakai and the Japan national team. She previously played for Washington Spirit, Linköpings FC and Leicester City

Early life Takarada was born in Toyama Prefecture on 27 December 1999.

Club career Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies In 2013, Takarada joined Nadeshiko League club Cerezo Osaka Sakai. She scored 44 goals in 110 appearances for the club and helped the club gain promotion to the top flight of the Nadeshiko League in 2019. During the 2019 season, Takarada scored 2 goals in 18 appearances for Cerezo and helped the team to a fourth-place finish. She played both as a forward and as a midfielder for Cerezo.

Washington Spirit On 1 December 2020, Takarada signed a contract with the Washington Spirit for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Her Japanese national team teammate Kumi Yokoyama signed with the Spirit in 2019. Takarada reported to the Spirit's preseason training camp in February 2021.

Linköping FC On January 6, 2022, it was announced that Takarada would transfer to the Swedish Damalsvenskan club Linköping FC.

Leicester City On 8 December 2023, it was announced that Takarada would sign a pre-contract with Women's Super League club Leicester City. She made her competitive debut for the club on 14 January 2024 in the fourth round of the FA Cup tie against Derby County. She scored her first competitive goal for the club on 11 February 2024 in a FA Cup match against Birmingham City

International career

Youth In 2016, Takarada was named to the Japan U-17 national team roster for the 2016 U-17 World Cup. She played in 5 matches and scored 2 goals, helping Japan to a 2nd place finish.

In 2018, Takarada played for the Japan U-20 national team at the 2018 U-20 World Cup. She played in all 6 matches and scored 5 goals and recorded 3 assists. Takarada scored the game-winning goal for Japan in the tournament final against Spain, leading Japan to the championship. She earned the Silver Ball and Bronze Boot for her performance in the tournament. Takarada also won the 2018 Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 2018. She served as a substitute for Japan during the World Cup, appearing in three of Japan's four games.

On 18 June 2021, she was included in the Japan squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

On 7 January 2022, Takarada was called up to the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup squad.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Takarada goal.

Honours Cereza Osaka Sakai

Nadeshiko League Cup Division 2: 2017, 2019

Japan

EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2022

Japan U20

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: 2018 AFC U-19 Women's Championship: 2017

Japan U17

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: 2016 AFC U-16 Women's Championship: 2015

Individual Silver Ball, 2018 U-20 World Cup Bronze Boot, 2018 U-20 World Cup Asian Young Footballer of the Year: 2018