Latest news with #RionIshikawa
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japan star Ishikawa's dream week: sign for Everton then star in rout of Chinese Taipei
Japanese footballer Rion Ishikawa may struggle to better her past week. The defender, who has just turned 22, completed a dream move to Everton last Monday and then played a starring role in Japan's 4-0 East Asian Football Championship victory over Chinese Taipei two days later. Ranked No 7 in the world, Japan are favourites to win the tournament in South Korea but Ishikawa has her sights set on a much bigger prize, with the Asian Cup next year 'one of our targets' and a second World Cup triumph in Brazil the year after. Ishikawa was just eight when, in 2011, Japan secured what remains the only World Cup won by an Asian country. 'My older sister started playing because of Japan winning that tournament,' Ishikawa told the Post. 'I wanted to follow her, so I quickly began playing, too. I think football was my destiny. 'We have so many good players in Japan, but I think I can improve in England, then bring what I learn back to help the national team. I want to deliver the performances and the results to inspire young girls in Japan.'
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Everton sign Japan centre-back Ishikawa
Everton have signed Japan centre-back Rion Ishikawa from Urawa Red 22-year-old becomes the third player to join the Toffees this summer, after Spain Under-23 winger Ornella Vignola and Dutch midfielder Rosa van graduated from the JFA Academy Fukushima in 2022 and represented her country at the Under-20 World Cup in the same year as they finished joins fellow Japanese international Honoka Hayashi – with whom she won the 2025 SheBelieves signing for Everton, Ishikawa said: "It is an honour to join the club as we enter this new historic chapter."Now that Goodison Park is our permanent home, we have to achieve strong results. "I feel a special connection because I am joining Everton when the club is beginning a new era."I believe this league is the best in the world. I am really lucky I can compete in it."Everton boss Brian Sorensen added: "We are really pleased to have signed a player of Rion's quality."She is a perfect match for what we are trying to build at Everton."Check out all the summer transfer deals on our dedicated page. Head here to get involved
