Manchester United sign Japan midfielder and Women's World Cup golden boot winner Hinata Miyazawa

Manchester United Women have completed the signing of Japanese midfielder Hinata Miyazawa, the top goalscorer at last month’s 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Miyazawa has joined United in a permanent move after leaving Japanese side Mynavi Sendai last month, who she joined in 2021.

The 23-year-old won the Golden Boot at the World Cup after scoring five goals in five appearances, including two in a 4-0 rout of eventual champions Spain.

However, Miyazawa could not prevent Japan from suffering a quarter-final exit after a 2-1 defeat to Sweden.

Upon joining the Women’s Super League side, Miyazawa said: “I am truly very happy to be part of this wonderful family and this great team. I am really looking forward to getting started and hope my style of play will excite our fans.”

Miyazawa rose to intentional prominence in 2018 when she scored in the U20 Women’s World Cup final as Japan beat Spain.

She has scored nine goals in 24 appearances since her first goal for the Japan senior team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in January 2022.

Miyazawa has been less prolific at club level though, scoring just four goals in 46 matches over two seasons at Sendai.

The Japanese club announced Miyazawa’s departure just five days after the end of the World Cup “due to procedures and preparations for transferring to an overseas club.” Despite speculation she would join Liverpool, the Red Devils have won the race for her signature.

United boss Marc Skinner said: “Hinata joins our United family having proven her qualities at the highest level. As her golden boot win at this summer’s Women’s World Cup has shown, she will excite our fantastic fans with her direct style of play and her ability to find the most dangerous spaces. We cannot wait to see her develop even further within our playing squad.”

United have been looking to bolster their attacking options in recent weeks after England striker Alessia Russo left to join Arsenal.

The Women’s Super League and Women’s FA Cup runners-up will begin their league campaign against Aston Villa on October 1. Later that month they will debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in a qualification match, hoping to reach the group stage.

Miyazawa has not yet joined up with her new team-mates, who will face Frauen Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in a friendly in Germany on Wednesday.

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