The move brings Miyazawa’s two-year stint with Sendai to an end and she becomes the fourth player from Japan’s FIFA Women’s World Cup squad to play in the English league. 

 

United finished second last season in the Women’s Super League to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time and begin their 2023/24 domestic campaign against Aston Villa on October 1.

“Hinata joins our United family having proven her qualities at the highest level,” said United manager Marc Skinner. 

 

“As her Golden Boot win at this summer’s Women’s World Cup has shown, she will excite our fantastic fans with her direct style of play and her ability to find the most dangerous spaces. We cannot wait to see her develop even further within our playing squad.”

Miyazawa, who started her club career with Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2018, is expected to feature in the Japan squad that will attempt to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

 

The Nadeshiko have been drawn in Group C of the second round of Asian qualifying alongside Vietnam, Uzbekistan and India with matches due to kick off on October 26 in Tashkent.