Melbourne Victory signs Kurea Okino

Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce the signing of Japanese forward, Kurea Okino, for the 2023/24 Liberty A-League season.

The 24-year-old joins the Club from Victorian NPLW team, the Boroondara Eagles, having previously played professionally in Japan for Vegalta Sendai and Tokiwagi Gakuen.

Okino has taken the NPLW Victoria by storm this season, scoring an incredible 31 goals in 21 games.

Melbourne Victory Head Coach Jeff Hopkins said he was looking forward to seeing what Okino can produce at A-League Women’s level.

“We’re incredibly pleased to be able to secure Kurea’s services for the upcoming season,” Hopkins said.

“What she has produced in the NPLW Victoria has been incredible to watch and we have no doubt that the transition to A-League Women’s will be seamless for her.

“She’s a striker’s striker. Her nose for goal is obvious in the numbers she’s produced and we believe she has the quality to reproduce that for our squad this season.”

Okino was also thrilled to be joining her first professional Club in Australia.

“I’m excited to be joining Melbourne Victory and testing myself in the A-League Women’s competition,” Okino said.

“I had a great season in the NPLW and the next challenge for me is to continue this form with Melbourne Victory in the A-League Women’s.

“Speaking to Jeff, the team is hungry for more and to achieve success this season and I’m excited to be part of the squad and the A-League Women’s competition.”

Okino is the fourth new signing of the 2023/24 A-League Women’s season, joining Rachel Lowe, Emma Checker and Jamilla Rankin as well as the re-signings of Kayla Morrison, Lia Privitelli, Alana Murphy, Paige Zois and Ava Briedis.