Nagasato totals 132 caps in international play

CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars announced today that the club has signed Japanese international midfielder Yuki Nagasato, pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Appearing 132 times with the Japan Women’s National Football Team, Nagasato, 29, scored 58 goals in international play, the most of the current player pool. A three-time FIFA Women’s World Cup player (2007, 2011, 2015) and two-time Olympian (2008 and 2012), Nagasato will bring a wealth of experience to Chicago. Nagasato was a crucial member of the Japan team that defeated the U.S. Women’s National Team in a penalty shoot-out to win the country’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011.

She began her professional career playing for NTV Beleza of the Nadeshiko League, Japan’s Division I women’s soccer league. Nagasato competed during eight seasons in the league, finishing with 133 appearances and 88 goals and guiding NTV Beleza to three league championships and four Empress’s Cup. Nagasato signed with one of the most successful clubs in Germany, FFC Turbine Potsdam, helping them to three-straight Bundesliga championships. In 2013, Nagasato earned the Golden Boot award after finishing her last season with 18 goals.

In 2013, Nagasato transferred to English-side Chelsea FC of the FA Women’s Super League. She finished her career for the club after 2 seasons, appearing in 18 matches and scoring five goals.

In early 2015, she returned to the Bundesliga to play for Vfl Wolfsburg, where she appeared nine times, netting four goals. At the end of 2015, she moved clubs to her current team, FFC Frankfurt. She has played in 35 games and scored eight goals so far.

Nagasato is expected to arrive in Chicago on May 31, 2017.

Name: Yuki Nagasato
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-6
Born: July 15, 1987 (29)
Last Club: FFC Frankfurt