Chika Hirao
Japanese footballer (born 1996)
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Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳, Hirao Chika; born 31 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for WE League club Albirex Niigata and the Japan national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 December 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Matsudo, Chiba, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Albirex Niigata | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2009–2014 | JFA Academy Fukushima | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2017 | Urawa Reds | 34 | (0) |
| 2018–2025 | Albirex Niigata | 123 | (0) |
| 2025–2026 | Granada | 9 | (0) |
| 2026– | Albirex Niigata | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2012 | Japan U-17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2016 | Japan U-20 | 5 | (0) |
| 2018– | Japan | 14 | (0) |
Medal record | |||
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 02:52, 9 March 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 02:52, 9 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Hirao was born in Matsudo, Chiba on 31 December 1996. She joined L.League club Urawa Reds from JFA Academy Fukushima in 2014. She played many matches as a regular goalkeeper, helping the club become the champions in the first season. However her opportunity to play decreased behind Sakiko Ikeda from 2015 season. In 2018, she moved to Albirex Niigata.[citation needed]
International career
In September 2012, when Hirao was 15 years old, she was selected Japan U-17 national team for 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup and she played 3 matches as regular goalkeeper. In November 2016, she was selected Japan U-20 national team for 2016 U-20 Women's World Cup. She played 5 matches and Japan won the 3rd place.[1]
In April 2018, Hirao was selected Japan national team for 2018 Women's Asian Cup. Although she did not play in any matches, Japan won the championship after two tournaments in a row. On 2 August, she debuted against Australia.[2]
On 10 May 2019, Hirao was included in the 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.[3]
On 18 June 2021, she was included in the Japan squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[4]
On 13 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.[5]
On 14 June 2024, Hirao was included in the Japan squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[6]
Hirao was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.[7]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 22 February 2026[8]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Urawa Reds | 2014 | Nadeshiko League | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2015 | Nadeshiko League | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2016 | Nadeshiko League | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2017 | Nadeshiko League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Total | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
| Albirex Niigata | 2018 | Nadeshiko League | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| 2019 | Nadeshiko League | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Nadeshiko League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22 | WE League | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | WE League | 19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| 2023–24 | WE League | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2024–25 | WE League | 22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 0 | |
| Total | 123 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 155 | 0 | ||
| Granada | 2025–26 | Liga F | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |
| Career total | 131 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 164 | 0 | ||
- Includes Empress's Cup, Copa de la Reina
- Includes Nadeshiko League Cup, WE League Cup
International
- As of match played 7 March 2026[10]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 14 | 0 | |
