Maika Hamano

Maika Hamano (浜野 まいか) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Chelsea and the Japan national team.

Club career
Hamano made her WE League debut for INAC Kobe Leonessa on 12 September 2021 in a 5–0 victory over Omiya Ardija Ventus.

On 13 January 2023, Hamano signed for Chelsea and was immediately loaned to Swedish side Hammarby IF. There, she made 17 league appearances and scored 7 goals during the 2023 Damallsvenskan season, before being recalled in September after sustaining a shoulder injury.

After recovering from injury, Hamano made her Women's Super League debut for Chelsea on 17 December 2023 in a 3–0 away win over Bristol City, replacing Lauren James in the second half.

International career
In July 2022, Hamano was included in the Japan under-20 team for the 2022 U-20 World Cup, where they finished as runners-up after losing to Spain in the final. She won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, and the Silver Boot as the second-best goalscorer behind Inma Gabarro.

Hamano made her senior team debut on 6 October 2022, when she came on as a substitute for Mina Tanaka in the 69th minute of a 2–0 friendly win over Nigeria. On 13 June 2023, she was included in Japan's 23-player squad for the 2023 World Cup.

International

 * Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hamano goal.

Honours
INAC Kobe Leonessa
 * WE League: 2021–22

Hammarby IF
 * Swedish Cup: 2022–23

Chelsea
 * Women's Super League: 2023–24
 * FA Women's League Cup runner-up: 2023–24

Japan U16
 * AFC U-16 Women's Championship: 2019

Individual
 * AFC U-16 Women's Championship top scorer: 2019
 * FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Golden Ball: 2022
 * AFC Youth Player of the Year: 2022