Yahoo Sports Oyama signs for City
Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of exciting Japanese midfielder Aemu Oyama.
The 20-year-old joins the Club from Waseda University in her native Japan on a deal that will keep her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2027.
A Young Nadeshiko, Oyama has forged a reputation as one of her country’s most exciting young talents since her professional WE League debut with Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2021.
She joins City having featured in Japan’s U20 Women’s World Cup campaign last summer, scoring a goal in a 7-0 Group Stage win against New Zealand.
WATCH: Aemu Oyama signs for City!
Indeed, Oyama was one of the stars of the tournament, helping her nation reach the final where they were beaten by North Korea.
She will wear the number 30 shirt during her time at the Joie Stadium.
Speaking about the move, Oyama said: “I’m so happy to be playing for such a celebrated team.
CITY V UNITED | GET YOUR ETIHAD DERBY TICKETS
“I would like to be able to contribute to the team as soon as I can and make everyone smile!
“Now that I’m in this team, I want to play as many games as possible like other players and seeing those young players [in the first team] inspires me to work hard like them.
“My number one ambition is to be approved by everyone. To me, enjoying football is most important, so I hope to show that during games.”
Manchester City Women Director of Football, Therese Sjogran added: “Aemu is a very technically gifted player, there’s a real buzz about her.
“She’ll be exciting to watch this season and beyond, and there is real potential for her to become even better.
“She’s already broken ground in Japan at a very young age and will be an exciting addition to the squad here in Manchester.”
Everyone at the Club would like to welcome Aemu and wish her the very best during her time at City.
An exciting future
A diminutive, technically excellent midfielder from Japan – the comparisons drawn between Oyama and her new City team-mate Yui Hasegawa in her young career so far are understandable.
It’s a lofty ceiling to aim for; Hasegawa has been shortlisted for successive Ballon d’Ors and WSL Team of the Season squads but, such is the excitement around Oyama, she has the potential to reach her idol’s heights.
Because it’s not just her position or nationality that she shares with Hasegawa.
Oyama boasts an incredible composure on the ball and her decision making is more akin to a seasoned veteran, rather than a youngster still to make her senior international debut.
That opportunity will surely follow in time though, given the way that our new number 30 has excelled in Japan’s youth setup.
Indeed, the U20 Women’s World Cup, which took place last summer, provided Oyama with a platform to show what she could really do.
Japan finished as runners up in Colombia, but their march to the final demonstrated the exciting future they have, underpinned by our new signing’s commanding displays in the engine room.
Oyama got on the scoresheet in a 7-0 win over New Zealand to kickstart the tournament before providing an assist in a 4-1 triumph over Ghana.
Playing a quick give and go with Rihona Ujihara, the midfielder then slipped an inch perfect ball in behind to Manaka Matsukubo, who duly did the honours.
It was a beautifully crafted goal, and one that emphasised the incredible vision and talent that City’s newest recruit possesses.
But the 20-year-old’s game is about so much more than what she can produce in front of goal.
Her energy with and without the ball allows her to dictate play from deep and maintain the team’s tempo in attacking areas, while her ability to anticipate danger also meaning her slight frame is rarely exposed.
Still just 20, Oyama herself has admitted that her move to City is one of the biggest decisions she’s had to make in her young career, but she has all the tools required to excel in blue.
Maybe those Hasegawa comparisons were right after all.
