(Image: Imago)
Thu 21 August 2025 19:45, UK
Aston Villa Women have agreed a deal with NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza for Japanese forward Maya Hijikata.
The Villans have been active in the transfer window this summer, with Aston Villa also completing the signing of Jill Baijings from Bayern Munich following last season’s loan spell.
The summer started with a blow, however, when Jordan Nobbs was released by Villa and joined Newcastle United.
Natalia Arroyo is hoping to build on a positive end to last season, after the Villans won their final five games to secure a sixth-place finish in the Women’s Super League.
Nobbs left Villa at the end of the season (Credit: Imago)Maya Hijikata is ‘one of Japan’s most exciting young stars’
Hijikata made her breakthrough at Beleza in the 2021/22 season when she was just 17, making her first two appearances in the WE League.
And in the following season, Hijikata found her first two goals, ending the season having made 11 appearances and also bagging an assist.
As a result, the forward was rewarded with selection for the Japan national team at the Asian Games, where she scored two goals, against Bangladesh and Nepal, as her side were crowned champions.
Hijikata was also selected for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, where she scored five goals and provided an assist in just seven matches.
Maya HijikataWE LeagueAppearances49Goals14Assists9
Last season marked the forward’s most prolific campaign yet, with Hijikata scoring seven goals and providing six assists as Beleza won the WE League.
She is now considered among Japan’s “most exciting” young footballers and will continue her rapid rise in the Women’s Super League with Villa.
Kathryn Batte reported on 21 August that the Villans have agreed a deal for the 21-year-old.
🇯🇵Understand Aston Villa have agreed a deal for 21-year-old Japan forward Maya Hijikata.
Has spent her entire career with NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza. One of Japan’s most exiting young stars.
— Kathryn Batte (@KathrynBatte) August 21, 2025
View Tweet
Future looks exciting for Villa Women
Hijikata is just the latest in several exciting developments at Villa Park.
The forward is expected to provide fresh, exciting talent going forward for Arroyo’s team, who were already scoring goals at will at the end of last season.
This season will be one in which fans will hope Villa can take the next step to compete at the top of the table and qualify for European competition.
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