Chelsea Women have completed the signing of Japan international forward Manaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage on a five-year contract, the club announced on July 3, 2026.
The 21-year-old attacker moves to London after a standout season in the National Women's Soccer League, where she secured the NWSL Midfielder of the Year accolade.
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Matsukubo had entered the final six months of her contract in America, which would have allowed her to leave as a free agent at the start of 2027.
The versatile attacker registered 11 goals last season and has scored five times in nine appearances during the current campaign before finalizing her move to the Women's Super League.
Ambition and Gratitude
“I’m so excited to be joining Chelsea, a club with a lot of history,” said Matsukubo.
The forward noted her childhood connection to the English club and expressed her desire to help sustain the team's long-standing competitive success.
“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,” said Matsukubo.
Prior to her departure, the Japanese international expressed gratitude to the North Carolina squad, coaching staff, and fanbase for her experiences over the past three seasons.
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“Thank you so much for the last three years. I had so many great experiences with this club, and I will never forget them.
