The goalkeeper joins the Club from INAC Kobe Leonessa, who boasted the best defensive record in the Japanese top flight across 2023/24.
Here are 10 things you may or may not know about our new signing…
Shirt Number
Ayaka has followed in the footsteps of another City goalkeeper in choosing which number she will wear during her time at the Club.
The stopper has opted for number 31, becoming the first female owner of the shirt since our professional relaunch in 2014.
She decided on it due to her admiration for fellow goalkeeper Ederson.
“It’s exciting to join a team with Ederson, whom I admire. To wear the same shirt. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Playing style
Like Ederson, one of Yamashita’s greatest assets is her confidence and quality on the ball.
Indeed, Japan were one of the standout teams at last summer’s World Cup, with their fluid passing style sparked by their goalkeeper and defensive setup.
“City play possession football in both the men’s and women’s teams and I am positive about that style of play,” Yamashita added.
“I have confidence in making the first pass which is an effective pass in attack. Possession football is my favourite style, so I think I will fit in the team.”
Honours
Still just 28, our new number 31 boasts an incredible personal trophy cabinet as she begins a new chapter in her career.
A six-time league title winner in Japan, Yamashita has won 15 pieces of silverware during her time at first club Tokyo Verdy Beleza and, more recently, INAC Kobe Leonessa.
When you add in her individual awards, Team of the Season inclusions, and international honours, then our stopper’s tally sits at a remarkable 27 honours!
The WSL’s lure
However, our new recruit has admitted she felt ready for a new challenge in her career, and that the WSL provides exactly that.
It’s a league she’s admired from afar, and one she can’t wait to try and win.
“Because of my personality, I am very hungry,” Yamashita explains.
“I’ve won various trophies in Asia, but to level up myself, I felt the need to take on a challenge.”
“There are high-level players and teams here. I want to challenge myself in such an environment.”
Remarkable record
While a team’s defence is of course about more than one individual, there was a remarkable trend for Yamashita across her time in Japan’s top flight.
Previous club INAC Kobe Leonessa boasted the best defensive record in the WE League across each of the goalkeeper’s three seasons at the club, conceding just 31 times in 59 matches.
It was a similar case for Yamashita’s first team, Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
From 2015 – the year the goalkeeper was included in the league’s Best Eleven for the first time – through to her departure for Kobe in 2021, they conceded the fewest goals in four of six seasons.
Familiar face
While Ayaka and Yui Hasegawa have lined up together for Japan on numerous occasions, did you know that they are also former Club team-mates?
The pair turned out together for Tokyo Verdy Beleza, winning five successive top flight titles between 2015 and 2019.
Hasegawa’s move to AC Milan in 2021 ended that run, but our goalkeeper is excited to play with the midfielder more regularly again at City.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with her again,” Yamashita added.
“I always make sure to look at her positioning when I receive the ball. I think she is a crucial player for winning titles.”
Global support
Yamashita has revealed that she was a keen follower of City and the WSL while playing in Japan.
“It’s a famous Club that everyone knows, and even now, it feels unbelievable to me,” she said of signing for City.
“Last season was really close, I thought that while watching the games from Japan.
“I want to support the team in winning titles and contribute to the team.”
Olympics
Ayaka was involved once again for Japan this summer at the Olympics in Paris, alongside her new City team-mates Hasegawa, Risa Shimizu and Aoba Fujino.
After finishing second in Group C, they faced the United States in the quarter-finals but were edged out by an extra time Trinity Rodman strike.
MVP
Ayaka’s first season at INAC Kobe Leonessa was one to remember, as she helped the side claim the 2021/22 WE League title.
Her exploits between the sticks also saw her named the league’s Most Valuable Player, while also picking up the Outstanding Player award and included in the Best Eleven.
Kobe conceded just nine times across the entire campaign.
Five in a row
To demonstrate her incredible consistency, Yamashita was included in the WE League’s Best Eleven in five consecutive seasons between 2015 and 2019.
Tokyo Verdy Beleza shipped just 55 goals during that period in 95 matches, at an average off 11 per season.
After a brief hiatus, our goalkeeper was then included in successive Best Elevens for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, bringing her total to seven in eight years!
