The 28-year-old joins the Club from West Ham United, penning a three-year deal that will keep her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2027.
An assertive full-back, Shimizu began her career with Tokyo Verdy Beleza before moving to the Women’s Super League in 2022 with West Ham. She made 44 appearances in two seasons with the East London team, scoring one goal.
The Japan international, who will wear the number 2 shirt, has 78 caps to her name since making her debut in 2017, and has featured at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 and 2023.
Shimizu said: “First of all, it’ll be a challenge, but one I’m ready for. City play football with a high possession style, which I like. I think I’m technically good and calm with the ball in possession, so I think I’ll play well in City’s style.
“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully lift the trophy with my new teammates.”
Charlotte O’Neill said: “Risa’s addition to Manchester City showcases our commitment to building a winning team.
“We’re extremely proud of the blend of international and domestic talent we have, and I’m looking forward to seeing Risa make her mark.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor continued: “Risa brings intelligence and technical quality to the team. She’s an established international with huge WSL experience and we are delighted to bring her to our club.”
DEPENDABLE DEFENDER
Throughout Risa Shimizu’s two-year spell at West Ham United, she cemented herself as a dependable, ever-green cog in the Irons’ machine.
Across 44 Barclays Women’s Super League assignments, she played 42 of those and started 41 times.
The flying full-back joined the Hammers in the summer of 2022 and helped them preserve their top-flight status as the Londoners recorded eighth and 11th-placed finishes.
She finished her maiden term at West Ham with 28 appearances in all competitions – registering eight clean sheets ahead of her inclusion in Japan’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 squad.
At the major tournament in Australia and New Zealand, she played all five ties for her nation and scored in a 3-1 win over Norway in the Round of 16.
In the following 2023/24 campaign, she then netted her first goal in the division in a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2024.
It’s fair to say football has always been a main passion for Shimizu – playing the sport from the age of seven.
Before her switch to West Ham, she moved to Yokohama during her childhood and shortly joined local team FC Susukino Ladies ahead of joining Tokyo Verda Beleza in 2009.
Due to her outstanding ability, she was fast-tracked into their first team at the age of 17 in 2013 and established herself in their starting XI before enjoying a trophy-laden spell in her homeland.
The first of five Nadeshiko League titles arrived in 2015 and she helped them retain the trophy across the next four successive seasons.
From 2017 to 2020, she was named in the Nadeshiko League Best XI on four occasions – and due to her classy outings before her switch to West Ham – Shimizu was elected EAFF E-1 Football Championship’s Most Valuable Player.
After fully settling in England during her time in London, the full-back is certainly ready to operate at the sport’s elite level and she will provide quality and competition to the excellent Kerstin Casparij as we compete on four fronts in 2024/25 – including the UEFA Champions League.
HONOURS
Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Nadeshiko League: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Nadeshiko League Cup: 2016, 2018, 2019
Empress’s Cup: 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
AFC Women’s Club Championship: 2019
Japan
AFC Women’s Asian Cup: 2018
Asian Games: 2018
EAFF Women’s Football Championship: 2019, 2022
Individual
Nadeshiko League Best Eleven: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
WE League Best Eleven: 2021-22
WE League Outstanding Players Award: 2021-22
EAFF Women’s Football Championship MVP: 2022
