West Ham have signed Japan forward, Riko Ueki from Tokyo Verdy Beleza for an undisclosed fee.
Ueki’s move to East London comes after she contributed two goals and one assist in Japan’s run to the Quarter-Finals at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which was ended by eventual third-placed Sweden.
“West Ham United is a team steeped in history and I’m really happy to be to be signing for such a great Club,” Ueki said in an interview with West Ham TV about her decision to join the Hammers.
The 24 year-old added that now felt like the right time for a challenge outside of Japan, after scoring against Zambia and Spain in the Group Stage at the World Cup.
“When I made the decision to join the Club, I felt I needed to test myself in Europe. I think I will be able to improve as a footballer here and in doing so, do my best for the team as well.”
Ueki also revealed that she spoke with her Japan teammates, Honoka Hayashi and Risa Shimizu who already play for West Ham, and revealed that both players “were both really happy, encouraging and supportive for this move.”
Manager, Rehanne Skinner added that Ueki ” is a talented Japanese centre-forward” who was “pivotal” to Japan’s World Cup run to the last eight.
Skinner also teased what West Ham fans can expect from Ueki as she explained: “Riko’s biggest assets from a skillset perspective are the timing of her movement and understanding of the game to try and create goalscoring opportunities.
“Riko has a variety of goalscoring skills, is very energetic and enthusiastic, and will help us to be more effective with our defensive set up from the front.
“She will form a fantastic part of the forward line within our team and I’m really excited to be working with her moving forwards.”
Ueki made her debut for Tokyo Verdy Beleza in June 2016 in which she scored against Speranza Osaka in a Japanese League Cup match, and has since gone on to score 69 goals in 140 appearances plus 15 titles – including four Nadeshiko League and Nadeshiko League Cup honours apiece.
Ueki also is a continental club winner with Tokyo Verdy Beleza, having scored one goal to help her former team win 2019 AFC Women’s Club Championship.
Internationally, Ueki has scored ten goals in 25 senior international caps for Japan during which she was part of their EAFF Women’s Football Championship winning team in 2019 and 2022, as well as a two-time AFC Under-19s winner.
Ueki also scored five goals in Japan’s successful 2018 FIFA Under-20s Women’s Word Cup campaign.
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