Everton Sign Japanese Full-Back Kitagawa

Everton have signed highly-rated Japan international defender Hikaru Kitagawa from Swedish club BK Häcken. Regarded as one of international football’s best full-backs, the 28-year-old becomes Brian Sorensen’s fourth signing of the 2025 summer transfer window ahead of an exciting new era for the Women’s team at their new home of Goodison Park. Following the recent arrivals of midfielder Rosa van Gool, winger Ornella Vignola and her compatriot Rion Ishikawa, Kitagawa adds both quality, leadership and experience to the Blues’ squad, with the left-back strong defensively as well as an attacking threat down the flank. Kitagawa was crucial to Japan’s 2025 SheBelieves Cup victory, claiming two assists against Australia, while helping the Nadeshiko to wins against Colombia and USA. The defender lifted the trophy alongside new Blues teammates Ishikawa and Honoka Hayashi, who told her compatriot why moving to Merseyside was the right one to make. “I’m very excited to play for Everton,” Kitagawa told evertontv. “I decided to join this team because I watched them last season and spoke to the head coach. “Before I signed, I had a chat with Honoka and she told me about the Club. I felt that Everton is a club with a warm atmosphere. It is a comfortable and friendly place and I am really happy to be a member of this club now. “It is also great we will play at Goodison Park. It is a new start for the girls to use this stadium and I’m really happy to come here and play with them.” The full-back started her career at the JFA Academy Fukushima, progressing in her homeland whilst representing Japan at youth level. A move to Urawa Reds followed, with Kitagawa travelling to the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups with her nation. After impressing with the ‘Red Diamonds’, she moved to Albirex Niigata and helped her side gain promotion to the Japanese first division. Having spent two seasons in the top flight in Niigata, she then enjoyed a season with INAC Kobe Leonessa before getting her first taste of European football with BK Häcken in Sweden. Now in L4, the newest Toffees arrival outlined her desire to get started in the Women’s Super League, particularly looking forward to the Merseyside derbies. “I had a goal to play in this league. I want to play as many games as possible in the league and win. I am looking forward to the derby, I want to win it. It will be a fiery battle,” said Kitagawa. “I want to do my best to be loved by such passionate supporters. I will work hard for the fans to love me and I would love to give them very fiery performances back. “I know about the ambition from the Club’s owners. I think the most important thing is to produce results. I want to do my best in the new season so that everyone can be happy with the results.” Everton manager Sorensen expressed his delight to complete Everton’s first summer signing with a player of Kitagawa’s all-round quality. He said: “Hikaru is a player I was eager to sign and it is a big statement from the Club to bring in a player of her quality. For me, she is among the top 10 left-backs in the world. “Hikaru is an intelligent defender, really comfortable on the ball, who loves to join the offence and contribute to the team’s attack. “She has experience of playing at the top level at both international and club level. Her desire to win and leadership qualities will have a positive effect on the squad, with her humble and respectful personality making her a popular figure in the dressing room.”