Women's Super League: Liverpool sign Japan midfielder Mao Itamura
Liverpool FC Women has signed 19-year-old Japanese midfielder Mao Itamura from Feyenoord. Itamura, the 2025-26 Women's Eredivisie player of the season, joins the squad as their fifth summer signing.
Why it matters
This transfer highlights the growing international talent pool in the Women's Super League and Liverpool's efforts to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
Image source, Liverpool FC Image caption, Mao Itamura is a Japan youth international and won the U20s Asian Cup in April
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter Published 20 July 2026 Liverpool have signed attacking midfielder Mao Itamura from Feyenoord.
The 19-year-old becomes the fifth addition to Gareth Taylor's squad this summer and replaces Republic of Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan , who joined Gotham FC on an initial loan deal.
Itamura was named the Women's Eredivisie player of the season in 2025-26, scoring eight times and assisting six goals for Feyenoord.
She helped Feyenoord qualify for European football for the first time in their history and was part of the Japan Under-20s squad that won the Women's Asian Cup in April.
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