The Houston Dash have made their first dip into the international market, inking World Cup champion Aya Sameshima to a contract. A left-sided defender or midfielder for Japan, Samashima appeared in five WPS matches for the Boston Breakers in 2011. That same year she helped Japan win the Women’s World Cup.
“Sameshima is a world-class player who is gifted, very technical, and has great ability to get forward out of the back and into the attack,” Dash coach Randy Waldrum said in a statement. “She brings a wealth of international experience to our team. I am extremely excited about Same and what she will bring to the Dash.”
The 26-year-old Sameshima has been capped 52 times by Japan. She joins the Dash from Vegalta Sendai. She figures to team with Meghan Klingenberg to make a formidable left side for the expansion Dash.
Terms of Sameshima’s contract were not disclosed.
