Full Breakdown
Chelsea Secures Japanese International Manaka Matsukubo on Five-Year Deal
7/4/2026, 1:32:12 PM
Transfer Overview
Chelsea announced on Friday that Japan international Manaka Matsukubo has joined the club from the North Carolina Courage on a five-year contract. The move was confirmed by both clubs in official statements.
Path to Chelsea
Matsukubo made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai in March 2023 before moving on loan to the North Carolina Courage later that year. She helped the Courage win the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, earned a permanent contract in 2024, and was named the 2025 NWSL Midfielder of the Year after posting 11 goals and four assists.
Player Profile
The Japanese forward is 21 years old, turning 22 later this month, and can operate as an attacking midfielder or central striker. She is praised for pace, close-control dribbling, precise passing and tactical versatility. Internationally, Matsukubo has earned 19 caps and scored two goals for Japan’s senior side, after starring in the U-20 World Cups (runners-up 2022 and 2024) and receiving the Silver Ball award in 2024.
Timeline of Milestones
- Mar 2023: Professional debut for Mynavi Sendai.
- 2023: Loan to North Carolina Courage; contributed to the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup victory.
- 2024: Signed a permanent contract with the Courage.
- 2025: Awarded NWSL Midfielder of the Year (11 goals, 4 assists).
- 2025-26 season: Recorded 11 goals last season and five goals in the opening nine matches of 2026.
- Friday (2026): Completed transfer to Chelsea on a five-year deal.
Performance Statistics
Across 58 regular-season NWSL matches, Matsukubo tallied 19 goals and 10 assists, including a record-setting hat-trick that made her the youngest player in league history to achieve the feat. At the senior international level she contributed to Japan’s SheBelieves Cup win and Asian Cup triumph, adding two goals in 19 appearances.
Strategic Impact for Chelsea
The signing adds youthful attacking depth and positional flexibility, aligning with Chelsea’s aim to blend experienced stars with emerging talent. Club analysts note that Matsukubo’s experience in the physically demanding NWSL should aid squad rotation across the Women’s Super League, domestic cup and European fixtures.
Official Statements & Responses
Matsukubo expressed enthusiasm about joining a club with a storied trophy record, emphasizing her desire to contribute to future successes. Chelsea described the acquisition as a long-term investment in attacking depth ahead of the upcoming Women’s Super League campaign.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Age: Sources list her as 21 years old, while one note states she turns 22 later this month.
- Goal contributions: Some reports cite 11 goals and 4 assists for the 2025 season; others record 19 goals and 10 assists across her NWSL tenure.
- Transfer fee: The financial terms remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The club has a strong history of winning trophies and has done so well at the top of the game, so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity, and I want to help continue this club’s tradition of winning trophies for years to come.” — Manaka Matsukubo, Japan international
- “Thank you so much for the last three years. I had so many great experiences with this club, and I will never forget them. Thank you to my teammates, coaches, staff, and all the fans for always supporting me. I really appreciate everything you did for me. I’m excited for my next challenge, but this club will always be special to me. Thank you again, and I wish everyone all the best,” — Manaka Matsukubo, departing North Carolina Courage player
What’s Next for Matsukubo at Chelsea
Matsukubo is expected to feature in early-season rotations, domestic cup ties and, if registered, European matches. The five-year contract signals Chelsea’s intention to develop her into a long-term contributor as the squad navigates a congested fixture schedule.
