Riko Ueki joined West Ham United on 12 September 2023
The forward joined the Club from Japanese WE League side, Tokyo Verdy Beleza in her native Japan.
Ueki broke into the Beleza senior team in June 2016, marking her debut with a goal in a League Cup match against Speranza Osaka. Since then, Ueki has been a regular for the side, making over 130 appearances and helping them to successive league titles between 2016 and 2019.
On the international stage, Ueki has over 25 caps for Japan, with her breakout year coming in 2022, when she scored eight times in eleven appearances.
The forward featured in every match for her country at this summer’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, scoring against Zambia and grabbing a goal and an assist in an impressive 4-0 win over eventual winners Spain in the group stage.
Career
Scored West Ham United’s first goal of the Barclays Women’s Super League goal of the campaign against Liverpool… Scored against Tottenham Hotspur on 3 November 2023… Netted in a 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion… Ended the season with six goals and six assists.
Made West Ham United debut at home to Manchester City on 1 October 2023… Scored first West Ham United goal in a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on 8 October 2023… Scored seven goals in all competitions, registering one assist… Crowned Young Hammer of the Year in her debut season in Claret and Blue.
Kanagawa Prefecture-born Ueki broke into Tokyo Verdy Beleza’s first team in 2016… Made over 130 appearances and helped them to successive league titles between 2016 and 2019.