Hasegawa arrived at City in September 2022 and has held down a starting berth ever since, going on to become one of Taylor’s most trusted lieutenants on the pitch.
The diminutive holding midfielder may not be physically imposing for opponents but she more than makes up for it with speed of thought, accuracy of pass and excellent positioning.
She has now featured on 57 occasions across two campaigns for City, with the Blues coming agonisingly close to Barclays Women’s Super League success last term.
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Our No.25 is also adored by her team-mates on and off the pitch, with Chloe Kelly in particular striking up a close bond.
Hasegawa has this summer been joined at City by three fellow Japanese internationals in goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, defender Risa Shimizu and winger Aoba Fujino.
Having become a fan favourite too, Hasegawa now has her eyes firmly set on lifting silverware for City.
To celebrate two years since she moved to the Joie Stadium, we look back at some of her best performances...
City 4-0 Leicester, October 2022
Hasegawa marked her debut with an incredible strike from distance.
It’s not something she’s known for, but City fans knew just how talented a player we had on our hands when the new midfielder fired through a crowd of bodies from the edge of the area.
It topped off a display filled with now more familiar aspects of her play; composed passing, tenacious tackling and an exquisite first touch.
City 3-1 Spurs, March 2023
With the end of her first season at City approaching, everyone was well aware of what to expect from Hasegawa.
However, this performance typified everything that has made her such a metronomic presence at the heart of our play.
Going 1-0 down on the half hour mark, City needed cool heads to get back in the game.
That’s where Hasegawa excelled, helping us keep 65% of the ball to wear our opponents out and eventually claim a 3-1 win.
West Ham 0-2 City, October 2023
The opening day of Hasegawa’s second season at City and a trip to her former team.
Although the goals came from Lauren Hemp and new signing Jill Roord, Hasegawa was our dominant force in midfield - completing 89 passes in total and creating two major chances.
Her 18 passes into the final third also proved just how pivotal she was in progressing the ball up the pitch for us.
City 7-0 Spurs, November 2023
A game in which the goalscorers take the headlines, but a performance that isn’t possible without the likes of Hasegawa providing the foundation.
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scored a hat-trick while Laura Coombs got a brace and Lauren Hemp and Jill Roord added their strikes.
However, Hasegawa’s work earlier in attacks was crucial in freeing those players in the right spaces.
She completed 66 passes in total while winning five ground duels to ensure there was no escape for a Spurs side pinned back throughout.
City 3-1 Manchester United, March 2024
A joyous day for all at the Club, as we overcame our local rivals in front of more than 40,000 fans at the Etihad.
Jess Park took the plaudits, scoring twice and teeing up Shaw for the third, but again, Park was only able to press so high up the pitch thanks to Hasegawa’s presence.
She won three tackles and five ground duels to keep City high up the pitch throughout, while also completing 93% of her passes.
Here’s to many more years of Yui in our midfield!
