Chelsea add Japanese star Manaka Matsukubo to boost attack

Chelsea have completed the signing of 21‑year‑old Japanese international attacker Manaka Matsukubo on a five‑year contract, announced in an official club press release this evening. The move marks the Blues' second acquisition of the summer transfer window.

Matsukubo arrives from American National Women’s Soccer League side North Carolina Courage, where she has been a regular starter. Chelsea confirmed the transfer was finalized after her stint in the United States.

During her three years in the United States, Matsukubo helped North Carolina Courage win the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2023. Her experience in the NWSL adds a proven winner to the squad.

Matsukubo began her career at JFA Academy Fukushima before moving to Mynavi Sendai in Japan. She later joined North Carolina Courage on loan, a deal that was subsequently made permanent.

On the international stage, Matsukubo has earned 18 caps for Japan and scored one goal. Her appearances underline her status as a seasoned international attacker.

“I’m so excited to be joining Chelsea, a club with a lot of history,” Matsukubo said. “As a small child, I followed Chelsea because it is a club everyone in the world knows about. 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.”

Matsukubo becomes Chelsea’s second signing of the summer window, further expanding the squad’s attacking options.