Momoko Tanikawa has returned to Japan many times as a member of the national team, but walking onto a Saitama pitch in Bayern Munich colors revealed a different angle of how far her career has progressed.

¡°This time feels fresh, and I think it¡¯s a really good opportunity,¡± Tanikawa told The Japan Times in an interview last week ahead of Bayern¡¯s preseason friendly against RB Omiya Ardija Women.

¡°I¡¯m really excited to come to Japan as a Bayern player. I hope people in Japan can learn what makes Bayern such a great club.¡±