:focal(1396x393:1398x391)/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/04/image-d6c03669-f28a-4dfb-b773-e561e429767d-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Tottenham Women sign 'technically gifted' Hamano on loan from London rivals Chelsea - TNT Sports")
Tottenham Hotspur Women have boosted their squad ahead of the second half of the season with the signing of Maika Hamano on a loan deal until the end of the season. The Japan international's arrival was hailed by Spurs boss Martin Ho, as the north Londoners look to push on after an impressive first half of the season. Spurs play their first match of 2026 against Leicester City on January 11.
Maika Hamano will leave Chelsea to join Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the remainder of the season.
Hamano has made eight appearances this season, scoring two goals and two assists, finding the net in a 2-1 opening day win over Manchester City.
The 21-year-old also scored six goals and registered three assists across 16 starts in 2024/25, as The Blues won a treble of Women’s Super League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Hamano told the Tottenham website: "Watching the team this season, I really felt they’ve been playing some great football and I thought if I joined this team, I could develop a lot as a player.
"I want to show fans the connection with my team-mates and exciting plays. At the end of the day, football is about winning, and I’ll do my best to contribute to the team’s success."
Spurs head coach Martin Ho added: "We are pleased to welcome Maika to Tottenham Hotspur. Maika is a technically gifted and intelligent attacking player who brings creativity, movement, and composure in the final third.
"She has experience at the highest level and will add quality and depth to our attacking options.
"This is a good opportunity for Maika to continue her development in a demanding environment, and we are looking forward to working with her for the remainder of the season."
Hamano already has extensive pedigree in the game, beginning her career at Cerezo Osaka Sakai, ahead of making the move to top-flight side INAC Kobe Leonessa at the tender age of 17 in 2021.
She would go on to win the Japanese title there before making the move to Chelsea in January 2023.
A loan move to Swedish side Hammarby followed, where Hamano scored seven goals in 17 league appearances.
The attacker made her WSL debut for Chelsea in a 3-0 win over Bristol City in December 2023, scoring her first goal in the English top flight against Aston Villa four months later.
On the international scene, Hamano was included in Japan's squads for the 2023 Women's World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
This came before success at the 2025 SheBelievesCup, playing alongside current Tottenham defender Toko Koga.
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Tottenham resume their season after the winter break when they host Leicester City next Sunday.
That comes a week before an FA Cup fourth round tie against the same opposition, before Spurs end the month away at Liverpool on January 25.
Spurs have enjoyed an impressive campaign to date, sitting fifth in the WSL table with 20 points - only two adrift of north London rivals Arsenal in third.
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