is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Women's Super League club Aston Villa and the Japan national team.
Club career In 2023, Hijikata was promoted from Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Menina to Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
On 22 August 2025, it was announced Hijikata had signed for English side Aston Villa.
International career In July 2022, Hijikata was selected for the Japanese U-20 national team for the U-20 Women's World Cup. She played in five matches at the tournament, contributing to Japan's runner-up finish.
In August 2023, Hijikata was selected for the senior Japanese national team for the Asian Games. She played in five matches at the tournament, scoring two goals and contributing to Japan's victory.
Hijikata was selected for the national team for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup held in Uzbekistan in February 2024 and was also selected for the national team for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in September of the same year.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTokyo Verdy Beleza2021–22WE League200000202022–23WE League11200001122023–24WE League17520412362024–25WE League1973020247Total481450615915Aston Villa2025–26Women's Super League12010001302026–27Women's Super League50002171Total1701021201Career total651460827916
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan202661Total61
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hijikata goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Maya HijikataNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition17 March 2026Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia9–011–02026 AFC Women's Asian Cup
Honours Tokyo Verdy Beleza WE League: 2024–25
Japan AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2026 Asian Games: 2022
Japan U-20 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup runner-up: 2024
Individual AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Top Scorer: 2024
References
External links