Chelsea officially announced that it will renew its contract with Japanese women's football forward Maika Hamano until 2029.

Maika Hamano joined the Chelsea Women's Football Team in January 2023. After a short Swedish loan career, Maika Hamano returned to the team and established an important position in the first team. At the age of 21, she has played 39 games for Chelsea and scored 9 goals. When signing the new contract, Maika Hamano said: "It is unparalleled to be able to fight alongside outstanding players and teams and give full play to the common goal throughout the long season. Of course, fans are always with them. Through them, I deeply feel the glory of being a member of Chelsea." Paul Green, Chelsea Women's Football Director, added: "We are very happy to extend Hamano's contract. She has adapted well to the Women's Super League and injected high vitality into the team. The quality and adaptability she has shown in many positions are commendable, and she still has huge development potential. We look forward to witnessing its growth in the next few years."

Last season, Maika Hamano made 30 appearances in various competitions, contributing 6 goals and 3 assists, helping the Blues achieve the first domestic triple-champion championship in the team's history. In the international arena, she has become a core member of the Japanese adult national team. Since her debut in 2022, she has represented the national team in 21 games and scored 6 goals.