The following term saw the young Japanese forward make seven appearances for the defending champions, where she netted two goals in that period, before making the move to England to join Chelsea in January, 2023. She was immediately loaned to Swedish side Hammarby IF for that season, making 17 league appearances and scoring seven goals in the Damallsvenskan.
A versatile attacker capable of playing across the frontline, Maika made her Barclays Women’s Super League debut in a 3-0 win over Bristol City in December, 2023 and netted her first WSL goal against Aston Villa in April, 2024, making eight appearances in 2023/24.
Featuring 30 times for the Blues the following campaign, scoring six goals in all competitions, including two in the Women’s Champions League, she has racked up 45 games in total since moving to England – adding seven to the tally this term.
On the international stage, the energetic forward made her senior debut in October, 2022, before featuring once in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup a year later.
Maika was then named in the squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the summer and, at the beginning of this season, was amongst the goals in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup as Japan won the tournament – playing alongside Tōko Koga on both occasions.