West Ham United Women are delighted to announce the signing of Japanese international Honoka Hayashi, subject to FA approval.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has joined the Hammers on a two-year-contract for an undisclosed fee from Swedish Damallsvenskan side AIK Fotboll.
A talented player with quick feet, Hayashi has been a regular for the Stockholm based outfit, appearing in every single match for the team in the current campaign.
Hayashi has found the net seven times for the Club since arriving from Cerezo Osaka in her native Japan in 2021.
The midfielder made 150 appearances for the team in the Nadeshiko League One, the highest division in Japan and moved to Sweden to challenge herself in Europe.
Hayashi has 16 caps to her name for the Japan international team – and played alongside fellow Hammers, Risa Shimizu at the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo.
The newest signing is delighted to be joining West Ham United and is excited to be playing in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
"I'm very excited to be joining West Ham!" Hayashi said: "I've been really looking forward to playing with the team since I heard about the interest and I can't wait to get started.
"I'm very happy to have the opportunity to play in the Barclays Women's Super League, I didn't expect to have the opportunity to play in England this soon in my career, but I'm excited for this moment!
"I would say that my strengths are that I'm able to keep the ball in tight area, I like to support attacking moves and help the team score lots of goals. I hope to be able to do that here at West Ham United."
Manager Paul Konchesky is pleased to welcome Hayashi to West Ham United and is looking forward to seeing her in action in Claret & Blue.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring Honoka to the Club. She is a player that we’ve been looking at for a while and the when the opportunity arose to bring her to West Ham, it was a no brainer for us.
“Honoka is a very gifted, technical player and already has a wealth of international experience that will prove to be pivotal within this group.
“I have no doubt that she will be a real asset for us in the final third in particular and her exciting style of play will get the fans off their seats.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Honoka to the Club and wish her every success for her career in Claret and Blue.
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