HOUSTON (Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024) – The Houston Dash announced today it has signed veteran forward Yuki Nagasato have agreed to a two-year contract through 2025 to bring the veteran forward to the Space City.
“We’re excited to add Yuki to our team and welcome her to Houston. Yuki is a total professional who brings championship pedigree, leadership and winning experience,” Dash General Manager, Alex Singer said. “She is a versatile technical player with the ability to control the tempo of the game, create, and finish chances."
Nagasato joins the Dash after five combined seasons with the Chicago Red Stars where she made 97 starts in 109 appearances from 2017-2020 and 2022-2023 in all competitions. The forward qualified for the NWSL playoffs in four of the five seasons she played for Chicago, reaching the NWSL Championship in 2019. The Japanese international spent the 2021 NWSL regular season with Racing Louisville where she made 22 starts in 25 appearances in Louisville's inaugural campaign.
“I am super excited to join this ambitious club and being part of the Space City community,” Nagasato said. “As a veteran player I want to bring harmony, calmness and a winning mindset to the team. As well as bringing a trophy to Houston. I can’t wait to get started to work with all the talented players and coaching staff and play in front of the fans at Shell Energy Stadium!”
Nagasato brings extensive experience to the Dash having played in the top leagues in the world. The forward spent time with Brisbane Roar FC during the 2018-2019 offseason and contributed to five goals in 10 matches during Australia’s W-League. Prior to joining the NWSL in 2017, the striker played for FFC Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga, the top-flight women’s league in Germany, from 2015-2017 and scored eight goals in 35 appearances. Nagasato won the DFB-Pokal, the German Cup, with Wolfsburg, where she scored four goals. She first made her Frauen-Bundesliga debut in 2010 for FFC Turbine Potsdam where she scored 48 goals in 71 appearances from 2010 to 2013, winning the UEFA Champions League title in 2010, and the Frauen-Bundesliga title in three consecutive campaigns from 2010-2012.
From 2013 to 2014, Nagasato played for Chelsea in the Women’s Premier League in England. While with The Blues, Nagasato made 18 appearances and scored five goals.
Nagasato made her professional debut for Nippon TV Beleza in 2002 and played with the team through the 2009 season, where she won six league championships and was one of the league's leading scorers for the 2006 season.
The forward represented Japan from 2004 to 2016 before stepping away from the team following the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Nagasato made 132 appearances for the Japanese Women’s National Team and scored 58 goals. Nagasato won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and were runners up in 2015. She made her national team debut leading up to the 2004 Olympics. The forward also participated in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2008 Olympics.
