Some more help defensively is on the way to Los Angeles. Angel City FC announced today the signing of Japan Women’s National Team defender, Miyabi Moriya, on a one-year deal that will see her in Los Angeles through 2025, with a club option for 2026. Moriya comes to Angel City via transfer from INAC Kobe Leonessa for an undisclosed transfer fee. She will occupy one of ACFC’s international spots.
Get to know #AngelCityFC’s newest signing, Miyabi Moriya.
Learn more about Miyabi here: angelcity.com/acfc-post/an…— Angel City FC (@angelcity.com) January 31, 2025 at 8:34 AM
“I am grateful to Angel City for signing me and I can’t wait to play for the fans at BMO Stadium,” said Moriya in a statement. “I visited Los Angeles several times as a student athlete, and I am excited for this new journey. My heart breaks for what LA is going through right now, and I am grateful to become part of the community.”
“We are excited to add a defender of Miyabi’s caliber to our roster,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons in a statement. “She is a versatile talent with incredible game intelligence which will allow our coaching staff to continue to evolve our style of play. Bringing Miyabi and her huge international experience with one of the top national teams in the world is an important addition to our team.”
Since making her professional debut in 2015, Moriya earned eight goals in 118 match appearances for INAC Kobe Leonessa of the Japanese WE League, helping the club win their first ever WE League title in 2022. In the 2023 season, Moriya was awarded 2023 WE League Valuable Player and was also named to the 2023 WE League Best XI. She made her National Team debut in the 2023 World Cup, and has since made 15 appearances and scored two goals.
Funnily enough, Moriya already comes to Los Angeles with friendly faces waiting to greet her. She arrives to play with not one, but two former classmates. Midfielder Jun Endo, and goalkeeper Hannah Stambaugh both attended grammar school with Moriya. Endo is also her teammate on the Japan National Team, while Stambaugh was her teammate at INAC back in 2016.
Thoughts on the new arrival? Leave a comment below!