Chicago Red Stars’ Yuki Nagasato joins Japanese men’s team on loan

Chicago Red Stars forward Yuki Nagasato is heading home for a loan deal in her native Japan, where she’ll become the first woman to play professionally for amateur men’s club Hayabusa Eleven.

The club is part of the Kanagawa Prefecture League.

Since coming to Chicago in 2017, Nagasato has made 52 appearances for the Red Stars. In 2019, Nagasato had her best year in Chicago, with eight goals and eight assists. She played in the early part of the NWSL Challenge Cup this year, before sitting out late in the tournament with an injury. Prior to her time with the Red Stars, she played for Frankfurt and Wolfsburg in Germany, and Chelsea in England. She also spent time on loan at Brisbane Roar in 2018 and 2019.

She was also part of the Japan team that won the 2011 World Cup.

Nagasato’s loan deal will end prior to the start of the 2021 NWSL season.