North Wake News

The North Carolina Courage have finalized a transfer agreement to acquire 19-year-old Japanese midfielder Shinomi Koyama from Swedish club Djurgårdens IF. The deal includes an agreed-upon fee, and Koyama has signed a three-year contract extending through the 2027 NWSL season. She will join the team after obtaining her P1 Visa, requiring an international spot.

Koyama captained Japan during the knockout stages of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2024, leading the team to a silver-medal finish alongside new Courage teammate Manaka Matsukubo. She played all but 45 minutes of the tournament, serving as captain in four out of seven matches and scoring one goal while playing both midfield and defense roles.

Courage Head Coach Sean Nahas commented on the acquisition: “Adding Shinomi only strengthens an already excellent midfield group for us. A young talent who has started to emerge on the world stage. Extremely cerebral, technically proficient, and an excellent passer, she will fit right into our style of play and be herself. Having her join players such as Denise O’Sullivan and Riley Jackson will make our daily environment that much better. She will be a great addition to our team along with our culture and we cannot wait to have her here in NC. I know our supporters will welcome her with open arms in the coming months! Yet another great day for our club.”

Before joining Djurgårdens IF, Koyama made 13 appearances for Kobe Leonessa in Japan's WE League during the 2022-23 season and seven appearances for Cezero Osaka in the 2023-24 season. In her time with Djurgårdens IF during the 2024 season, she made 21 appearances and scored four goals. Across her professional league career, Koyama has accumulated nine goals and one assist over 41 appearances.

Koyama has also represented Japan at various youth levels and made her senior team debut in a friendly against New Zealand in 2022. She was recently called up to Japan's senior team during the final window of 2024.