| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | April 13, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Niiza, Saitama, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Aston Villa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2022 | NTV Tokyo Verdy Menina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza | 49 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Aston Villa | 0 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Japan U-20 | 13 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Japan | 5 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 09:41, 22 August 2025 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maya Hijikata (土方 麻椰, Hijikata Maya; born April 13, 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Women's Super League club Aston Villa and the Japan national team.
Club career
[edit]In 2023, Hijikata was promoted from Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Menina to Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.[1]
On 22 August 2025, it was announced Hijikata had signed for English side Aston Villa.[2]
International career
[edit]In July 2022, Hijikata was selected for the Japanese U-20 national team for the U-20 Women's World Cup. She played in five matches at the tournament, contributing to Japan's runner-up finish.[3][4]
In August 2023, Hijikata was selected for the senior Japanese national team for the Asian Games.[5] She played in five matches at the tournament, scoring two goals and contributing to Japan's victory.[6]
Hijikata was selected for the national team for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup held in Uzbekistan in February 2024 and was also selected for the national team for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in September of the same year.[7][8]
Honours
[edit]Japan
Japan U-20
- AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup runner-up: 2024
Individual
- AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Top Scorer: 2024
References
[edit]- ^ "土方麻椰 選手、柏村菜那 選手、ベレーザ昇格のお知らせ". Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
- ^ "Villa Women announce Hijikata signing". Aston Villa Football Club. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "U-20日本女子代表 FIFA U-20女子ワールドカップコスタリカ2022【8.7-28＠コスタリカ】メンバー". Japan Football Association.
- ^ "FIFA U-20女子ワールドカップ コスタリカ2022". Japan Football Association.
- ^ "第19回アジア競技大会（2022/杭州）日本女子代表 メンバー＆スケジュール【9.22-10.6＠中国】". Japan Football Association.
- ^ "第19回アジア競技大会（2022/杭州）". Japan Football Association.
- ^ "U-20日本女子代表 メンバー・スケジュール AFC U20女子アジアカップ ウズベキスタン 2024（2.19-3.18＠ウズベキスタン）" (Press release) (in Japanese). 日本サッカー協会. 13 February 2024.
- ^ "U-20日本女子代表 メンバー・スケジュール FIFA U-20女子ワールドカップ コロンビア2024" (Press release) (in Japanese). 日本サッカー協会. 14 August 2024.