Angel City announced today that the team has acquired Japanese goalkeeper Hannah Stambaugh from Omiya Ardija Ventus, a club in the WE League of Japan, through the 2024 season with an option for 2025. In exchange, Omiya Ardija Ventus will receive a $10,000 transfer fee. Stambaugh will join the club immediately as part of the preseason roster.
“I am proud from the bottom of my heart to be able to play for Angel City,” said Stambaugh. “It means a lot to me to be able to play in America, my second home. I will do my best to do what I can for this team.”
"We're bringing in a player with an experience of understanding what it takes to win a championship by adding Hannah to our roster," stated ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “Understanding that earlier in her career at the U-20 World Cup, sets a standard of excellence we want for all of our players, and she will help to keep our bar set high. We can't wait to see how Hannah is able to develop in our environment"
Originally from Akishima, Tokyo, Stambaugh spent the past three seasons with Omiya Ardija Ventus, appearing in eight matches for the club and earning one clean sheet. She made her WE League debut on September 20, 2021 against Albirex Niigata. Prior to her time with Omiya Ardija Ventus, she spent four seasons with INAC Kobe Leonessa, a club in the Nadeshiko League of Japan, where she made 28 match appearances.
Stambaugh made five match appearances for the U-20 Japan Women’s National Football Team, alongside ACFC forward Jun Endo, during the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In 2020, she was also selected to the senior Japan Women’s National Football Team during an international friendly match. She was a candidate for selection to the 2018 U-19 and the 2013 U-16 Japan Women’s National Football Teams.