Fuka Nagano


Fuka Nagano is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chifure AS Elfen Saitama. In 2017, she was named Asian Young Footballer of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards.

Club career

Urawa Reds

In 2014, Nagano played for Urawa Reds in Japan's top-division Nadeshiko League and helped the team win a league championship.

Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels

On 18 March 2018, Nagano signed a one-year contract with Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels. On 23 April, she made her debut in a 0–0 draw with Gyeongju KHNP. On 1 June, she scored her first goal in a 7–1 home victory against Changnyeong.

Chifure AS Elfen Saitama

In January 2019, Nagano left South Korea and returned to her native Japan to play for Chifure AS Elfen Saitama. She stated that her motivation to join was because of her great respect for the coach of the team, Hiroshi Yoshida.

International career

In 2016, Nagano competed at the All Japan Youth Women's Championship. She was part of the under-16 team that won the 2013 AFC U-16 Women's Championship in China and of the under-17 team that won the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica. She captained Japan to the final of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan, where they were defeated by North Korea on penalty kicks, and won the Golden Ball award as the tournament's top scorer.
In June 2018, Nagano was called up to the senior team for the first time for a friendly match against New Zealand.
In August 2018, Nagano was part of Japan's victorious team in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France, turning in a player of the match performance in the semi-final, and scoring a goal in the final in a 3-1 win over Spain.
On 11 November 2018, she debuted for senior team against Norway.

Career statistics

Club

National team

Honours

Club

;Urawa Red Diamonds