Chelsea sign Manaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage on five-year deal

Chelsea Women have completed the signing of Manaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage on a five-year deal.

The Japan international was named Midfielder of the Year in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) last season and is regarded as one of the most promising players in women’s football.

“As a small child, I followed Chelsea because it is a club everyone in the world knows about,” the 21-year-old said upon her arrival.

“The club has a strong history of winning trophies and has done so well at the top of the game, so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I want to help continue this club’s tradition of winning trophies for years to come.”

Having played as a teenager at JFA Academy Fukushima, Matsukubo played in the Japanese top division for Mynavi Sendai before moving to North Carolina Courage, initially on loan, in 2023.

Matsukubo’s arrival at Chelsea follows that of Katie McCabe, who joined following the expiration of her contract at London rivals Arsenal earlier this month. Chelsea have also confirmed the extension of defender Lucy Bronze’s contract by a further year.

Eight-time Women’s Super League (WSL) champions Chelsea say a run of six successive league successes ended last season as Sonia Bampastor’s side finished third, six points behind champions Manchester City.