Saki Kumagai – one of the finest Asian footballers of all-time – signed for London City Lionesses in the January transfer window of the 2024/25 season. 

Kumagai, who wears the captain’s armband for her national team, is a versatile defensive midfielder who can also drop into defence, known for her ability to read the game and perform in high-pressure moments. 

With a career that spans for over a decade at the very highest level, Kumagai adds experience, leadership and quality to our ranks. 

She has a world-class CV, including over 150 caps for Japan, five Champions League triumphs and a World Cup winners medal. 

She won seven Première Ligue titles with OL Lyonnes in France, the Frauen-Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and the Serie A Femminile with Roma before heading to London City Lionesses, where she won the Barclays Women’s Championship in her first season – playing a crucial part on and off the pitch.