AFC Awards
The Chelsea FC forward surpassed compatriot Yui Hasegawa and Australia’s Stephanie Catley to become only the second player in history to clinch the esteemed accolade after it was introduced last year.
Hamano enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 season with the Blues after joining from INAC Kobe Leonessa following a brief but successful loan spell with Swedish top flight side Hammarby IF.
The 21-year-old, who was recently rewarded with a contract extension with Chelsea until 2029, notched 30 appearances in all competitions for the English side last season, scoring six goals and providing three assists on the way to a domestic treble, on top of reaching the UEFA Women’s Champions League Semi-finals.
Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP
At the international level, Hamano has also quickly established herself as a crucial part of the Japanese women’s national team, featuring in the Nadeshiko’s Quarter-final finish at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and scoring twice as Japan won the SheBelievesCup in 2025.
Having made her first team bow aged 16 for hometown side Cerezo Osaka Sakai, the prestigious award is another feather in the cap for the Japanese sensation who also won the AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) award in Doha two years ago as well as the Golden Ball and Silver Boot honours at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Costa Rica 2022.
Main photo: Patrick-T.-Fallon-AFP
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