Maya Hijikata

Forward • Age 22 • #13

Maya Hijikata is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward. She represents Japan at senior international level and previously played for the country’s U20 team.

Photo: IMAGO | IMAGO / Sports Press Photo

88 Appearances

27 Goals

6 Trophies

2 Awards

Fun Facts about Maya

Quirky facts. Inspired by her game.

Maya started playing football at five after following her older brother into the sport, and she confidently told him and their two cousins that she was always number one.

Her competitive streak appeared early: Maya won every school marathon from kindergarten through sixth grade and later claimed two high-school 10-kilometre road races.

Maya taught herself to juggle three balls to improve her spatial awareness, even practising high throws and turns, but lost interest as soon as she had mastered it.

Maya combined professional football with studying sport sciences at Waseda University, and her busiest days began with a 5:30 a.m. alarm before training and afternoon classes.

Her signature “Hijikata Dance” goal celebration involves pointing alternately to her elbow and shoulder, and became so popular that teammates wanted to perform it even when Maya had not scored.

After winning the AFC Women’s Asian Cup with Japan, Maya received a special welcome back from her Aston Villa teammates, complete with Japanese flags, gold decorations and a personalised celebration cake.