Amid reports of a major trade for USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara, the Washington Spirit have confirmed an acquisition on the other side of the field, signing Japanese international attacker Saori Takarada. Takarada, 20, joins the club from Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies, who finished fourth in the recently-completed Nadeshiko League season. According to the Spirit, her contract is for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
In a team press release, Spirit head coach Richie Burke said “Bringing another young international player of Saori’s quality to the Spirit for our 2021 season was a huge priority for our club and being able to get this deal done at this time of year has been absolutely brilliant.