Manchester United Women Sign World Cup Top Scorer Hinata Miyazawa

Manchester United Women strengthened their squad ahead of the new season by signing 2023 World Cup top-scorer Hinata Miyazawa of Japan on Wednesday, as the attacking midfielder joined the Women’s Super League club on a permanent deal.

Miyazawa won the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after scoring five goals in four games for Japan, who were the most successful Asian team at the tournament as they reached the quarter-finals.

With her Golden Boot achievement, Miyazawa made history as the only non-European award winner at the tournament.

The 23-year-old joins United from Japan’s WE club Mynavi Sendai Ladies, where she played for two seasons.

“I am truly very happy to be part of this wonderful family and this great team. I am really looking forward to getting started and hope my style of play will excite our fans,” Miyazawa said in a club statement.

United manager Marc Skinner praised the Japan midfielder’s style of play.

“Hinata joins our United family having proven her qualities at the highest level,” Skinner added.

“As her Golden Boot win at this summer’s Women’s World Cup has shown, she will excite our fantastic fans with her direct style of play and her ability to find the most dangerous spaces. We cannot wait to see her develop even further within our playing squad.”

The diminutive midfielder has made 28 appearances for Japan, scoring nine times for the Nadeshiko and also played a key role in their World Cup campaign this year, which ended in a quarter-final defeat to Sweden.

She becomes United’s fourth signing this summer after the arrivals of Wales international Gemma Evans, former Barcelona forward Geyse da silva Ferreira and young midfielder Emma Watson.

United said that former Aston Villa defender Evie Rabjohn has now been formally registered as their player following the announcement that she had agreed to join the club back in May.

Miyazawa’s addition will further boost United’s hopes of challenging for the WSL title this season after they ended the last campaign in the second spot – their best-ever finish — after finishing two points behind champions Chelsea. United are also gearing up to play Champions League football for the first time.

Miyazawa will likely make her United debut on October 1 when they play away to Aston Villa as the new WSL season kicks off. She will wear the no. 20 jersey.

United have had a busy transfer window this summer with as many as 12 players leaving Old Trafford on permanent deals – including Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Maria Thorisdottir.

The club also reportedly rejected a world-record bid for a goalkeeper for Mary Earps, who was voted the best keeper at the World Cup as England finished runners-up to champions Spain.

The WSL transfer window closes on September 14.