Aemu Oyama: 10 things you didn’t know   | OneFootball

Japan youth international Aemu Oyama has become City’s latest January acquisition.

Signing a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Club which will keep her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2027, the midfielder arrives in Manchester with a hugely exciting reputation and potential.

Here are 10 things you may or may not know about our newest recruit!

STUDIES

Not only will Oyama be found producing tough tackles and tormenting opposition defences on the pitch, but also hitting the books.

The 20-year-old is part of the Waseda University alumni in her homeland of Japan where she studied and obtained a degree in Sports Science!

ONE TO WATCH

It’s safe to say Aemu’s rising stock caught the attention of the footballing world early in her career.

So much so she was named in NXGN 2022’s ’20 best wonderkids in women’s football’ list on goal.com which highlighted the players they believed were destined for the top.

Coincidentally, one of Oyama’s new team-mates, Mary Fowler, also featured on the list as their number two pick!

IDOL

By committing her future to Manchester City, Oyama has joined the ranks of one of her footballing idols and inspirations, Yui Hasegawa.

The latter has cemented her status as one world football’s finest operators and as our midfield linchpin since her arrival at the Club in the summer of 2022.

And Aemu says she’s based her game off that of Hasegawa’s: “I think I’ll have many opportunities to play in Yui’s position, so I think our play styles are similar.”

FINISH

As comfortable in defensive scenarios as she is in the final third, Oyama also has an eye for the spectacular and highlighted this on the international stage for Japan at the AFC U16 Women’s Championships.

The midfielder netted a wonderful effort in an 8-0 group stage win over Thailand which was nominated for Goal of the Group Stage at the tournament.

That strike helped her nation’s youth team progress into the knockout stage before they triumphed in the final after beating North Korea 2-1.

YOUNG GUN

After breaking into Tokyo Verdy Beleza’s first team four years ago, it didn’t take Aemu long to create history for her former employers.

When netting in the WE League, Japan’s top-flight, she became the youngest scorer in the division’s history at the time, aged just 17!

WATCH: Oyama details ambitions after City arrival

WORLD STAGE

Following Japan’s success at the AFC U16 Women’s Championships, she then played a starring role for the Under-20s at the 2022 and 2024 U20 World Cup, where Japan’s young charges reached the final.

En route to Nadeshiko’s final appearance, City’s latest acquisition registered two assist and a goal as they booked their place in the showpiece.

She also showcased her ability to handle immense pressure when netting a penalty in the quarter-final triumph over France.

Unfortunately, her nation lost 3-1 to Spain in the final.

Two years later and Oyama provided one goal and two assists en route to Japan finish runners up once again.

STYLE

Following her arrival at Manchester City, Amu has detailed what she believes Blues fans can expect from her on the pitch.

She explained: “I have a wide vision, and I can create chances by passing in the way that the opposition team can’t even imagine.

“Also, I think I’m good at using my teammates.  These are my strengths.”

CLUB CONNECTION

Not only does Oyama become the fifth member of City’s Japan contingent, she also joins her fellow compatriots in previously playing for Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

Although progressing through the famed youth system at different times, Hasegawa, Oyama, Ayaka Yamashita, Risa Shimizu and Aoba Fujino all featured for the WE League outfit’s first team before finding their ways to City.

DREAM COME TRUE

Upon her arrival at the Joie Stadium, Oyama stated that playing in the Champions League would realise a childhood ambition of featuring at European football’s top table.

And with the Blues in the quarter-final of the prestigious competition this term, she may have the chance to achieve a lifelong ambition early in her City career.

“My dream is to play in the Champions League,” she declared. “I came here to make that dream of mine come true with a team that plays the type of football I like.”

DERBY

Before we return to the Champions League, though, Aemu may get the chance to taste the Manchester derby for the first time.

City welcome Manchester United to the Etihad tomorrow, and our newest recruit could possibly be in the squad to face our cross-city rivals.

On the prospect of featuring against Marc Skinner’s side she said: “I’m aware how enormous this game is and I came here in time for it.  If I’m given a chance, I’d like to show my play style and contribute to my team.”