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1 day ago
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Jose Pino / SPP
The North Carolina Courage have acquired Japanese international midfielder Shinomi Koyama, sources with knowledge of the deal told The Equalizer. The Courage will pay a transfer fee of around $225,000 to Swedish club Djurgården, per a source with knowledge of the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Koyama is a Japanese international who turns 20 years old later this month and captained Japan at last year’s U-20 World Cup, where the team finished runners-up to North Korea. She moved to Djurgården in Sweden last year after beginning her career domestically in Japan.
SVT in Sweden previously reported that Koyama would transfer to a National Women’s Soccer League club for a fee that would set a new record for Djurgården.
Koyama is a versatile player who can play across the midfield and defensive lines. Her play at the U-20 World Cup earned her a call-up to the senior team in October.
North Carolina has recently been a frequent destination for talented Japanese internationals. Midfielder Narumi Miura played there in 2023 and 2024 before recently signing with the Washington Spirit as a free agent. Manaka Matsukubo remains with the Courage after also arriving in 2023.
Matsukubo initially joined the Courage on loan in 2023 and helped them win the Challenge Cup, scoring in the final and winning the MVP award for the match. Her loan was converted to a full transfer last year. The versatile attacking midfielder and forward is now 20 years old.
Koyama and Matsukubo were teammates for Japan at last year’s U-20 World Cup.
North Carolina has been busy this offseason. The Courage acquired United States international Jaedyn Shaw in a recent blockbuster trade with the San Diego Wave. The Courage paid an initial total fee of $450,000 for Shaw, although that number could fluctuate based on future conditions. Combined with the outlay for Koyama, the Courage are among the biggest spenders of the NWSL offseason thus far.
The NWSL’s primary transfer window does not officially open until Jan. 28, after which confirmed transfer activity is likely to increase.
