Hamano’s first interview: “I’ll do my best to contribute to the team’s success”

Maika Hamano said she ‘will do her best to contribute to the team’s success’ as she became a Spurs player in the next chapter of her career.

The Japan youth international forward arrived on loan from Chelsea on Sunday (4 January), where she made the move to England on a permanent deal in 2023 and has since made 27 appearances in the Barclays Women’s Super League, scoring five goals in total.

Upon becoming a Lilywhite for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, she spoke about her excitement to be part of the squad and helping the team to achieve their goals for the rest of the season.

Speaking as a Spurs player for the first time, Maika said: “Watching the team this season, I really felt they’ve been playing some great football and I thought if I joined this team, I could develop a lot as a player - and I wanted to play for this team.

“I want to show fans the connection with my team-mates and exciting plays. At the end of the day, football is about winning and I’ll do my best to really contribute to the team’s success.”

Despite being only 21, Maika has enjoyed an impressive career to date. She has 122 senior appearances, with 10 of those coming in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, while also impressing on the international stage for her nation.

Having shone at the Under-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she was awarded the Golden Ball award as one of the best players in the competition, she made her senior debut in October, 2022, and has since represented Japan in the Olympics, World Cup and SheBelieves Cup – winning the latter at the beginning of this year.

And in that same Japan squad, there has been a familiar face that Spurs fans will know well– teenage defender Tōko Koga - and Maika spoke about their friendship ahead of her move to north London.

“[Tōko and I] travelled together in Okinawa this summer. Having her around is really reassuring,” she told us.

Reflecting on her time with Japan, Maika added: “For me, this is a place I’ve always dreamed of, so I’m truly grateful to have the opportunity but at the same time, nothing is guaranteed, so if I want to keep playing for the Japan national team, I know I need to keep improving and constantly updating myself as a player.

“That’s why joining Tottenham Hotspur means so much to me. I want to learn as much as I can here.”