Maya Hijikata
Japanese footballer (born 2004)
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Maya Hijikata (土方 麻椰, Hijikata Maya; born April 13, 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Women's Super League club Aston Villa and the Japan national team.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | April 13, 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Niiza, Saitama, Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Striker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Aston Villa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2022 | NTV Tokyo Verdy Menina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza | 49 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Aston Villa | 9 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Japan U-20 | 15 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023– | Japan | 4 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 02:08, 13 April 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 02:06, 13 April 2026 (UTC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club career
In 2023, Hijikata was promoted from Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Menina to Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.[1]
On 22 August 2025, it was announced Hijikata had signed for English side Aston Villa.[2]
International career
In July 2022, Hijikata was selected for the Japanese U-20 national team for the U-20 Women's World Cup. She played in five matches at the tournament, contributing to Japan's runner-up finish.[3][4]
In August 2023, Hijikata was selected for the senior Japanese national team for the Asian Games.[5] She played in five matches at the tournament, scoring two goals and contributing to Japan's victory.[6]
Hijikata was selected for the national team for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup held in Uzbekistan in February 2024 and was also selected for the national team for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in September of the same year.[7][8]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 29 March 2026[9]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Tokyo Verdy Beleza | 2021–22[10] | WE League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022–23[11] | WE League | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2023–24[12] | WE League | 17 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 6 | |
| 2024–25[13] | WE League | 19 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 7 | |
| Total | 48 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 59 | 15 | ||
| Aston Villa | 2025–26 | Women's Super League | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Career total | 57 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 69 | 15 | ||
- Includes Empress's Cup, Women's FA Cup
- Includes WE League Cup, Women's League Cup
International
- As of match played 11 April 2026[14]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 2026 | 4 | 1 |
| Total | 4 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hijikata goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 March 2026 | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia |  India |
9–0 | 11–0 | 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
Honours
Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Japan
Japan U-20
- AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup runner-up: 2024
Individual
- AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Top Scorer: 2024
