​Manaka Matsukubo has earned 14 caps for Japan. Chelsea have signed the Japan international on a five-year deal. The 21-year-old midfielder moves to the Premier League side from the North Carolina Courage in the United States’ NWSL. During her time with North Carolina, Matsukubo tallied 19 goals and 10 assists across 58 appearances and was named the NWSL’s midfielder of the year in 2025. “I’m thrilled to join Chelsea, a club with a rich history,” she remarked. “They have a strong record of winning trophies and have excelled at the highest level, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity. I want to help carry the club’s trophy-winning tradition forward for years to come.” You can find interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed, and stay updated with the latest WSL news on our dedicated page.