Narumi Miura (三浦 成美, Miura Narumi, born 3 July 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Washington Spirit and the Japan national team.

Narumi Miura
Miura with the North Carolina Courage in 2023
Personal information
Full name Narumi Miura[1]
Date of birth (1997-07-03) 3 July 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
Height 1.56 m (5 ft 1+12 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
North Carolina Courage
Number 6
Youth career
2010–2015 Tokyo Verdy Menina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2023 Tokyo Verdy Beleza 84 (1)
2023–2024 North Carolina Courage 16 (0)
2024– Washington Spirit 0 (0)
International career
2016 Japan U-20 5 (0)
2018– Japan 31 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Japan
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Papua New Guinea
AFC U-19 Women's Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 China
AFC U-16 Women's Championship
Gold medal – first place 2013 China
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 August 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 November 2023

Club career

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Tokyo Verdy Beleza, 2016–2023

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Narumi was born in Kawasaki on 3 July 1997. She joined Nadeshiko League club Tokyo Verdy Beleza in 2016, after being promoted from Tokyo Verdy Menina, their under-18 team.[2] Despite being young and a newly-promoted player for Beleza, she played many matches from her first season as a professional. During her years with the club, Beleza won consecutive Nadeshiko League titles in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

North Carolina Courage, 2023–2024

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Narumi was signed by the North Carolina Courage on February 7, 2023.[3] She assisted Kerolin for the opening goal in the Courage's 2–0 win over Racing Louisville in the Challenge Cup final.[4] She was one of three Courage players to start every match of the 2023 regular season.[5]

Washington Spirit, 2024–present

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On December 17, 2024, Washington Spirit announced they had signed Narumi two a two-year contract with an option for 2027.[6]

International career

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In September 2013, Narumi was selected for the Japan U-17s to play the 2013 AFC U-16 Women's Championship. She scored two goals at the tournament, with one of them being scored at the Final, that helped Japan to win the tournament for the second time in a row. In August 2015, she was selected for Japan U-20s to play the 2015 AFC U-19 Women's Championship, with Japan winning the tournament. In November 2016, she was once again selected for Japan U-20s, now for the 2016 U-20 Women's World Cup. At this tournament, she played five matches and Japan earned a third-place finish.[7]

On 10 June 2018, Narumi debuted for the Japan national team against New Zealand.[8]

Tokyo 2020 Olympics

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In 2021, Narumi represented Japan on the women's football tournament of the 2020 Olympics, which was held in her home country, Japan.[9]

Style of play

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A central defensive midfielder, Miura is known for her vision, defensive ability, and passing.[10][11]

Career statistics

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International

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As of match played 23 September 2023[12]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Japan
2018 5 0
2019 12 0
2020 3 0
2021 8 0
2022 2 0
2023 1 0
Total 31 0

Honours

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Tokyo Verdy Beleza

North Carolina Courage

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 – List of Players: Japan" (PDF). FIFA. 7 July 2019. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Nippon TV Beleza". Archived from the original on 24 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Courage acquire Japanese midfielder Narumi Miura". North Carolina Courage. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Champions! Courage claim Challenge Cup with 2-0 win Saturday". North Carolina Courage. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  5. ^ "2023 North Carolina Courage Stats (NWSL)". FBref. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  6. ^ Floyd, Thomas. "Spirit bolsters midfield with Japanese veteran Narumi Miura". Washington Post. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  7. ^ Narumi MiuraFIFA competition record (archived)
  8. ^ "NADESHIKO Japan wins over New Zealand 3-1". JFA|公益財団法人日本サッカー協会.
  9. ^ "Japan announces women's football squad for Tokyo 2020". Tokyo 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  10. ^ Trent, Tyler (20 February 2024). "The Narumi Effect – How the North Carolina Courage midfielder sets up the team for success". Topbin90. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  11. ^ Sylvs, Southern (30 March 2023). "Unsung Heroes – An NWSL Series: Narumi Miura". All For XI. SB Nation. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  12. ^ "MIURA Narumi - Nadeshiko Japan | National Teams|JFA|Japan Football Association". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
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