West Ham United Women are delighted to announce the signing of Japan international defender, Risa Shimizu.
The 26-year-old full-back has joined the Hammers on a two-year-contract from Japan Women's Empowerment Professional Football League side, Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
Until now, Shimizu has spent her entire career with Beleza – beginning her youth career in 2009 and eventually progressing into the first team, where she was named captain in 2020.
Shimizu becomes the eleventh addition to Paul Konchesky’s squad this summer and is looking forward to testing herself against the very best in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
“I’m excited to be joining West Ham United,” said the Hammers' new No3.
“This is the first time that I’ve been to England. My English isn’t that good so learning more of the language will be a challenge for me. But this is something I’ll work on, as well as playing to the best of my ability on the football pitch.
“I wanted to make the move overseas and join a Club in one of the top divisions and so, when I heard of West Ham’s interest, I decided it was time to take that step. I took up the offer straight away as I believe West Ham is the perfect fit for me.
“As a player, I would describe myself as very athletic - I like to make plenty of overlapping runs from defence and I want to provide some extra flair to the team. I want to help this team achieve great things.
“I’m also looking forward to being back with Yui (Hasegawa). I never thought I would have the opportunity to play with her in England, so it’s exciting to be able to do that. Together, we want to represent Japanese football and do really well for West Ham. "
Manager Konchesky is delighted to add further experience to his backline and is excited to see his latest signing in action.
“We are very pleased to welcome Risa to West Ham United,” said Konchesky.
“Risa is a player with vast international experience. She was Captain of her previous team in Japan and those leadership qualities will be hugely valuable to this group.
“Risa will give us a different option in defence and her technicality and work ethic is something that I really admire. I’m excited to see Risa excel at our football Club.”
Born in Kobe - Japan’s seventh largest city - Shimizu began playing football at the age of seven. Initially, she started playing as a striker before moving back into midfield and then finally specialising at full-back.
While at the Tokyo Verdy Beleza academy, Shimizu befriended Yui Hasegawa, with the duo rising through the ranks alongside each other at both Club and international level.
In the 2015 Nadeshiko League season, Shimizu played in every single league game and was instrumental in leading the team to the domestic title for the first time in five years.
Since that victory, Shimizu and Beleza won multiple trophies, including successive domestic titles, the annual Empress' Cup, the League Cup and the AFC Women's Club Championship.
Shimizu has also been hugely successful on the international stage. The defender earned her first cap for Japan in a 2-0 victory against Switzerland in October 2017 and has been a mainstay at right-back for her country ever since.
She has earned 53 caps for her country and won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2018 and the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship this summer, where she was voted the tournament’s ‘Most Valuable Player’.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to welcome Risa to the Club and wish her every success for her career in Claret and Blue.
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