Canberra United have announced the signing of former Adelaide United midfielder Nanako Sasaki ahead of the Ninja A-League 2025-26 season.
Sasaki will be a familiar face to fans of the competition having been a mainstay in Adelaide’s engine room since signing for the club back in 2021, going on to make 67 appearances and scoring four goals for the Reds.
Her impact was recognised when she was named the 2023-24 Dianne Alagich Medallist as Adelaide United’s best and fairest player.
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Having begun her career in her native Japan with Tomitsuka Junior Football Club, Sasaki moved to Australia in 2017 playing in the National Premier League for Adelaide City and Adelaide Comets before signing for Adelaide United.
“I am looking forward to joining up with Canberra United for the new season and can’t wait to get started,” Sasaki said.
“I have always enjoyed playing against Canberra and experiencing the wonderful supporters that they have at McKellar Park. It will be nice to have them cheering me on for a change!
“I thank Antoni for giving me this opportunity and am ready to go!”
Sasaki made the move to Australia shortly after finishing High School in a bid to improve her English as she chased her dream of being a flight attendant. However, it was her footballing ability that saw her fly high as she was named in three consecutive SA NPL Team of the Year selections.
She is Canberra’s first signing of the off-season following the re-signings of A-Leagues great Michelle Heyman, Tegan Bertolissio, Emma Robers, Bethany Gordon, Darcy Malone, Sally James, Coco Majstorovic, Mary Stanic-Floody and Hayley Taylor-Young.
CLICK HERE TO HEAD TO THE NINJA UTE A-LEAGUE TRANSFER CENTRE
“We are excited to welcome Nanako to Canberra United for the upcoming Ninja A-League season,” Head coach Antoni Jagarinec commented.
“She is a very technical player who has experience of playing in the competition, which is an added bonus, and will fit in well with the profile of player that we currently have at the club.
“I am looking forward to working with Nanako this season.”
