Hina Sugita Bio
Hina Sugita (杉田 妃和, Sugita Hina; born 31 January 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Japan national team. Standing 1.61 meters tall and wearing jersey number 7, she is recognized for her composed passing, intelligent movement, and consistent performances in the middle of the pitch. Her career has spanned top-flight club football in Japan and the United States, alongside senior and youth international duty with Japan.
Since turning professional in 2015, Sugita has built a résumé that includes major club silverware and international youth titles. She won the 2022 NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns before being traded to Angel City FC in September 2025. With Japan, she has represented the country at multiple FIFA tournaments and Olympic Games, establishing herself as a long-standing presence in the national team setup.
Early Life and Background
Hina Sugita was born on 31 January 1997 in Kitakyushu, a major city in Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Growing up in a country with a deep football culture, she was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the game. Her early years in Kitakyushu helped shape the disciplined, technical approach that would later define her playing style.
Sugita attended Fujieda Junshin High School, a well-regarded program in Shizuoka Prefecture known for producing talented female footballers. During her time at the school, from 2012 to 2014, she balanced her academic studies with intensive football training. Her performances in the youth ranks were strong enough to attract the attention of Japan’s youth national team selectors while she was still a teenager.
Path to Soccer
Sugita’s path toward a professional career accelerated when she was called up to Japan’s U-17 squad in September 2012 at the age of 15. She played in all four matches of the 2012 U-17 Women’s World Cup and scored two goals, signaling her potential on the international stage. The following year, she starred at the 2013 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in China, scoring six goals and earning the tournament Most Valuable Player award as Japan captured the title for the second consecutive time.
In 2014, Sugita captained Japan’s U-17 team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, playing five matches and scoring five goals to lead her country to its first championship at that level. She was also awarded the tournament’s Golden Ball as the best player. These accomplishments established her as one of the most promising young players in Asia and paved the way for her professional debut in Japan’s Nadeshiko League.
Hina Sugita Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
After graduating from Fujieda Junshin High School, Sugita joined Nadeshiko League club INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2015. She debuted as a midfielder that same year, beginning her senior career with one of Japan’s most established women’s clubs. The transition from youth to senior football required adjustment, but she quickly adapted to the physical and tactical demands of the top flight.
By 2016, Sugita had become a regular starter for INAC Kobe Leonessa, a sign of her rapid development. Her performances during the 2016 season earned her the Best Young Player award, validating her status as one of the rising talents in Japanese football. This early period gave her valuable minutes and experience that would prepare her for moves abroad later in her career.
INAC Kobe Leonessa Breakthrough (2015–2022)
Sugita spent the bulk of her early professional career at INAC Kobe Leonessa, where she developed from a promising teenager into a senior international. She became a central figure in the team’s midfield, contributing goals, assists, and tactical discipline across multiple league seasons. Her growth coincided with Japan’s increasing focus on building a strong, technically gifted midfield core.
During her seven years at the club, Sugita played a key role in INAC Kobe Leonessa’s domestic campaigns and helped maintain the team’s competitiveness in the Nadeshiko League. The platform allowed her to refine her reading of the game, improve her distribution, and prepare for the next chapter of her career overseas. She departed the club in 2022 as a fully developed international midfielder.
Portland Thorns Era (2022–2025)
On 26 January 2022, Sugita joined the Portland Thorns of the NWSL on a three-year deal, marking her first move to club football outside Japan. The transfer represented a significant step in her career, exposing her to the pace and physicality of American women’s soccer. She integrated into a squad that featured several of the world’s top players.
In her first season with Portland, Sugita was part of the team that won the 2022 NWSL Championship, one of the most prestigious titles in club football in the United States. The triumph added major silverware to her résumé and confirmed her ability to perform at the highest levels of the sport. She remained an important contributor for the Thorns through 2025, helping the club remain a consistent contender in the league.
Angel City FC Era (2025–Present)
On 30 September 2025, the Portland Thorns traded Sugita to Angel City FC in exchange for defender M.A. Vignola and $600,000 in intra-league transfer funds. The move brought her to a Los Angeles-based club with ambitious long-term plans and a growing fan base. She joined the squad wearing the number 7 jersey.
Sugita’s start with Angel City was disrupted on 17 March 2026, when it was announced that she had been placed on the season-ending injury list after sustaining an ACL tear in her left leg. The injury brought an early end to her first season with the club and began a recovery process that will shape the next phase of her career.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Sugita is known for her calm distribution, sharp tactical awareness, and ability to dictate tempo from central midfield. She combines tidy one-touch passing with the vision to pick out forward runs, and she contributes defensively through intelligent positioning and well-timed tackles. Her composed approach in possession has made her a reliable link between defense and attack for both club and country.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of her career, Sugita captained Japan to its first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title in 2014 and won the tournament’s Golden Ball. She added the 2022 NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns, becoming one of the few Japanese players to claim a major club honor in the United States. She has also represented Japan at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2020 Summer Olympics, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Hina Sugita Career Wins
Hina Sugita’s trophy cabinet spans youth international titles, club championships, and individual awards. Her biggest honors include the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the 2013 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, and the 2022 NWSL Championship. She has also earned the Best Young Player award at INAC Kobe Leonessa and Golden Ball honors at youth World Cup events.
Youth International Highlights
Sugita was a central figure in Japan’s youth success during the early 2010s. In 2013, she helped Japan win the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in China and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring six goals. The following year, she captained Japan to its first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title in Costa Rica, scoring five goals in five matches and earning the Golden Ball award. In 2016, she represented Japan at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she won the Golden Ball and helped the team finish third.
Club Honors
At club level, Sugita’s most notable achievement came in 2022, when she won the NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns. She spent seven seasons at INAC Kobe Leonessa from 2015 to 2022, contributing to one of Japan’s most respected women’s programs. Her move to Angel City FC in 2025 marked a new chapter, though it was cut short by injury.
Hina Sugita Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Sugita’s family background is limited. She was raised in Kitakyushu, Japan, and her development as a footballer has been closely tied to the Japanese youth system rather than a family sporting tradition.
Personal Life
Details about Sugita’s personal life, including relationships and family, are not widely documented in public sources. She has focused her public profile on her football career, representing both her club sides and the Japan national team at the highest levels of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Sugita. After completing her time with the Portland Thorns, she was traded to Angel City FC in late September 2025, joining a new organization with fresh ambitions. The move was framed as a long-term investment by the club in her experience and quality in midfield.
Sugita’s on-field contributions during the latter part of the 2025 NWSL campaign were limited by the timing of the trade, but she quickly integrated into the Angel City squad. Her presence was expected to add composure and creativity to the team’s midfield as the club pushed for a stronger playoff position. Off the field, she began adjusting to a new city, new teammates, and a new tactical setup.
Looking ahead, Sugita’s momentum was halted in March 2026 when she was placed on the season-ending injury list following an ACL tear in her left leg. The injury will keep her out of competitive action for an extended period, but recovery timelines for modern ACL treatment suggest a potential return to form in subsequent seasons. Her long-term outlook with Angel City FC remains tied to her rehabilitation and her ability to return to her previous level of performance.