Arsenal midfielder Iwabuchi joins Tottenham Hotspur on loan | OneFootball

Arsenal midfielder Mana Iwabuchi has joined the club’s North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.

The Lilywhites announced news of the transfer this afternoon via a post on their official club website.

Iwabuchi is in her second season with parent club Arsenal but she has found playing opportunities difficult to come by as a result of The Gunners’ style of play and the competition for places. The Japanese international has been given just three substitute appearances by Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall in this season’s Barclays Women’s Super League. Iwabuchi will now be hoping that she gets the game time that she desperately needs on the other side of North London at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 29-year-old started her playing career in her native Japan with Nippon TV Beliza before joining German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. A move to Bayern Munich followed before Iwabuchi returned to her homeland to join INAC Kobe Leonessa. In December 2020, Iwabuchi moved to England where she joined Aston Villa for a short spell before signing for latest club Arsenal in summer 2021.

Iwabuchi becomes Tottenham Hotspur head coach Rehanne Skinner’s second January transfer window signing following the recent addition of forward Beth England from Barclays Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.