Chicago Stars FC Sign Rookie Midfielder Manaka Hayashi

Chicago Stars FC have finally added a rookie to their roster ahead of the 2025 NWSL season.

Chicago has signed Santa Clara University midfielder Manaka Hayashi to a professional deal, sources tell On Tap Sports Net.

Hayashi, 20, becomes the first player to sign with Chicago Stars FC straight from college after the elimination of the NWSL Draft in the new collective bargaining agreement.

Hayashi played one season at Santa Clara, where she made nine appearances (all starts) and totaled over 700 minutes for a Broncos side that made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament before losing to North Carolina. Before her time at Santa Clara, Hayashi featured twice for Japanese top-tier side Kobe Leonessa at the end of 2023.

The midfielder has featured for Japan’s youth national teams for years and was on the side that finished second in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Hayashi is only the third outside signing of the offseason for Chicago, joining goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz and defender/midfielder Maitane López as the new faces in the locker room ahead of preseason camp.