Ayaka Yamashita, the talented Japanese international, has recently joined Manchester City as their new goalkeeper. She comes from INAC Kobe Leonessa, a team with the best defensive record in the Japanese top flight in the 2023/24 season. Here are some interesting facts about this rising star that you may not know.
Yamashita has chosen to wear the number 31 shirt at Manchester City, following in the footsteps of another City goalkeeper, Ederson. She admires Ederson and is excited to wear the same shirt as him.
Her playing style is characterized by confidence and quality on the ball, similar to Ederson. She is confident in making the first pass, which is crucial in starting attacks. Possession football is her favorite style, and she believes it will suit her well at City.
At just 28 years old, Yamashita already has an impressive collection of 27 honors, including league titles, individual awards, and international recognitions. She is eager to take on a new challenge in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and test herself against high-level players and teams.
During her time in Japan, Yamashita had a remarkable defensive record with both INAC Kobe Leonessa and Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Her teams consistently had the best defensive records in the league, conceding very few goals.
Yamashita and Yui Hasegawa, her former club team-mate, have a successful history of playing together. They won five top-flight titles with Tokyo Verdy Beleza and are excited to reunite at Manchester City.
Despite being based in Japan, Yamashita followed City and the WSL closely and is thrilled to now be a part of the team. She aims to support City in winning titles and contribute to their success.
In addition to her club success, Yamashita has also represented Japan at the Olympics and has been recognized for her outstanding performances with individual awards such as Most Valuable Player and inclusion in the Best Eleven.
Her consistency and excellence were evident in her inclusion in the WE League’s Best Eleven for five consecutive seasons and then for two more seasons after a brief break. She has proven herself as a top goalkeeper with a strong track record.
Overall, Ayaka Yamashita brings a wealth of experience, talent, and winning mentality to Manchester City. Fans can look forward to seeing her in action and contributing to the team’s success in the upcoming seasons.
