Liverpool Sign Mao Itamura from Feyenoord to Strengthen Women's Midfield

Japanese attacking midfielder Mao Itamura has completed her permanent transfer to Liverpool from Dutch club Feyenoord, becoming the fifth new arrival in the Women's Super League side's summer recruitment drive. The 19-year-old arrived as the 2025-26 Women's Eredivisie Player of the Year after an impressive spell in the Netherlands, bringing goal-scoring and creative ability to Gareth Taylor's squad.

Career Milestone for Rising Talent

Itamura fulfilled a long-held career ambition by joining Liverpool, a club she had identified as a target at the outset of her professional journey. The Japanese international began her career with JFA Academy Fukushima before moving to Feyenoord in January 2025, where she made an immediate impact. In her single season with the Dutch outfit, she recorded eight goals and six assists across all competitions, cementing her status as one of Europe's emerging midfield talents. Her individual accolade and contributions helped Feyenoord reach European football for the first time in their history.

Beyond her club achievements, Itamura represented Japan's Under-20 squad at the Women's Asian Cup in April, where the team claimed the continental title. This success on the international stage further validated her development as a player capable of competing at elite levels. The move to Liverpool comes subject to visa approval and international clearance, with the midfielder now wearing the number 26 shirt.

Completing Taylor's Summer Rebuilding

Itamura joins fellow new arrivals Vivien Endemann, Sara Agrez, Mari Ward, and Khiara Keating as part of Liverpool's summer transformation. Her arrival comes in the wake of Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan's departure to Gotham FC on an initial loan arrangement. In her first interview as a Liverpool player, Itamura expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to perform for the club, emphasizing her desire to showcase her dribbling skills and excite supporters with creative play. Her primary strengths centre on ball-carrying ability and the capacity to progress the ball toward the opposition goal line—attributes Liverpool identified as valuable additions to their attacking setup.