Women’s Super League: Liverpool sign Japanese midfielder Mao Itamura

Liverpool have signed attacking midfielder Mao Itamura from Feyenoord.

The 19-year-old is the fifth addition to Gareth Taylor’s squad this summer and replaces him Denis O’Sullivan of the Republic of Irelandwho 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-20 team that won the Women’s Asian Cup in April.

“This is a league and a club that was one of my goals (to join). I’m happy to be here,” Itamura said.

“When I started playing football, one of my goals was to become a professional footballer. When I reached that goal, I wanted to play for my favorite team.

“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play at Liverpool, which is a big club.”

Itamura began his career in Japan with JFA Academy Fukushima before joining Feyenoord in January 2025.

He will wear the number 26 shirt and follows the arrivals of Vivienne Endemann, Sarah Agrage, Marie Ward and Chiara Keating at Liverpool.