Canberra United are delighted to announce the signing of Japanese international Yukari Kinga for Season 9 of the Westfield W-League.
Canberra United are delighted to announce the signing of Japanese international Yukari Kinga for Season 9 of the Westfield W-League.
The 32-year-old defensive midfielder, who has 100 caps for her country and has scored five goals, will join on loan from her Japanese club side INAC Kobe Leonessa.
Vastly experienced and renowned as a true star of the women’s game, Kinga was part of the Japan side that won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, gained a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games and a Gold Medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
“I’m really excited to announce Canberra United welcomes World Cup winning Nadeshiko player, Yukari Kinga to the club,” Head Coach Rae Dower commented. “An opportunity to have a player with the pedigree of Kinga is a real coup not only for Canberra United but for the whole Westfield W-League competition.
“Her extensive playing experience and professionalism will be a tremendous asset to our team this year as we head into a period of regeneration for the club. I would like to thank INAC for their assistance in releasing Yukari at the completion of her league commitments.
“In true Canberra United pioneering fashion, Kinga will be the first Japanese Nadeshiko player to play in the Westfield W-League. She is very excited for the opportunity to play for Canberra United and is really looking forward to immersing herself into the Canberra community. I am sure that she will quickly become a crowd favourite at McKellar and across the country wherever she plays.”
On a personal level Kinga has been named in the L. League (Japan Women’s Top Division) Team of the Year on six occasions, has won eight L. League titles, three L. League Cups and eight All Japan Women’s Football Championships, making her one of the most decorated Women’s players on the planet.
Canberra United begins the ninth season of the Westfield W-League with a home fixture against defending Champions Melbourne Victory at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday 12th November.
The match will be screened live on Fox Sports ahead of the Hyundai A-League match between Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix which forms part of a double-header in the national Capital.
STATISTICS
Name: Yukari Kinga
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Date of Birth: 2 May 1984
Place of Birth: Yokohama, Japan
Clubs: NTV Belaza, INAC Kobe Leonessa, Arsenal,
Representative Honours: Japan U19, Japan (100 appearances, 5 goals)
Honours: FIFA World Cup Winner (2011), FIFA World Cup Runner-Up (2015), Olympic Games Silver Medal (2012), Asian Games Gold Medal (2010), L. League Rookie of the Year (2003), L. League Best 11 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), L. League Cup MVP (2007), L. League Champion (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, L. League Cup Champion (2007, 2010, 201), All-Japan Championship (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)
