Japanese defender Hitomi Tanaka joins East Bengal Women ahead of their historic AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.

Kolkata, September 20: East Bengal Women have completed the signing of 33-year-old Japanese defender Hitomi Tanaka, who becomes the first Japanese player to join Indian women’s football. The signing comes ahead of East Bengal’s AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.

Previously playing in the Dutch top-tier league for Hera United, the defender has had a long career in football. With experience across the world, she has now come to India to join the Moshal Girls.

Tanaka has spent most of her career in Europe, featuring for clubs in both Spain and the Netherlands. She began her European journey with Albacete Women, where she played during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. She later represented Spanish side Huelva Women before moving to SE AEM Women in the 2023/24 season.

In September 2025, Tanaka joined Dutch side Hera United Women, where she featured in the Eredivisie Women during the 2025/26 season. She made 20 league appearances for the club and provided two assists.

Across the league competitions listed in her career record, Tanaka has made 57 appearances. Now, after years of playing football in Europe, the experienced Japanese defender is set for a new chapter in India with the champions of India East Bengal Women, as the Moshal Girls prepare for their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.

After a courageous and dominant qualifying campaign, East Bengal Women are set to kick off their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign. They will also host the competition for the first time, as India had never previously hosted the AFC Women’s Champions League.

The Moshal Girls will begin their campaign on November 1 against Ho Chi Minh City, before playing their remaining matches with a few days’ gap between each game.

Meanwhile, Resty Nanziri has overcome her visa issues and is set to join her teammates. However, the visa issue involving Fazila Ikwaput has still not been resolved.

With Tanaka now added to the squad, East Bengal Women have further strengthened their defence ahead of their historic AFC Women’s Champions League campaign. The Japanese midfielder brings valuable European experience to the Moshal Girls, as the Indian champions prepare to make their mark on the continental stage. With the campaign set to begin on November 1, East Bengal will look to build on their impressive qualifying run and make the most of their historic home advantage.

AFC Women’s Champions League foreign player rules,In simple terms: No limit on foreign players registered, but only six can be selected for a match, and if all six are foreigners, at least one must be from an Asian country.