28 September 2026
Manaka Hayashi is a new Juventus Women player.
The 2004-born midfielder has signed a contract with the Club until 30 June 2029, and these were her first impressions as a Bianconera:
“My first impression is that Turin is a really beautiful city. And, of course, this Club has an incredible history and operates at the very highest level. My teammates and all the staff have been really kind and very welcoming to me.
“I also played in Chicago with Julia Grosso, who played here. I spoke to her a lot and she told me how much she enjoyed her time here and how the experience helped her grow and improve as a player. All of that helped me make my decision and say: ‘Okay, I want to come here.’”
HER STRENGTHS
“I would say my main characteristic on the pitch is my aggression defensively, combined with great determination when in possession. Among my strengths, I would definitely highlight the variety in my shooting and my ability to take on and win one-on-one duels.”
HER EXPERIENCE IN THE USA
“The step up from college to the NWSL was huge. Especially in my first year, I found the physical side of the game very challenging: the tempo was intense and the players were fast and very strong. I had to work a lot on my physicality, but by my second year I had adapted much better, and that helped me manage duels, particularly when playing as a central midfielder or in a more advanced midfield role.
“As for the Italian league, and Juventus in particular, there is much more emphasis on possession-based football. Here, I’m asked to show more control, quality and precision when keeping the ball. They are two different styles – physicality on the one hand, possession and controlling the tempo on the other – so it will take me a little time to adapt, but I believe I can make a valuable contribution in terms of technique and ball management.”
ANOTHER JAPANESE PLAYER IN THE SQUAD
“Before coming here, Chiba and I had never met in person, although I knew of her because she is part of the national-team setup. I spoke to her a little and she confirmed that she is really happy here, that the level is high and that the environment is fantastic. She helped me understand the atmosphere within the team before I arrived.”
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD IN BIANCONERO
“On a personal level, I want to settle into the league and my new surroundings as quickly as possible, while trying to earn more opportunities and minutes on the pitch so that I can continue to grow.
“As a team, we have a lot of commitments ahead of us across the league and cup competitions. We are a Club that has a duty to take to the pitch aiming to win every competition, and our shared goal is to bring home as many trophies as possible.”
