Albion could have another star winger from Japan on their hands.

Kiko Seike scored a sensational hat-trick as the Seagulls opened their WSL season with a 4-0 win over Everton.

There was also a penalty by Fran Kirby as Dario Vidosic’s side enjoyed themselves at the Broadfield Stadium.

Seike scored 20s goal in 22 games for Urawa Red Diamonds last season and played at the Olympics this summer.

Albion will hope she has as big an impact on their women’s side as compatriot Kaoru Miroma did for the men.

The early signs are very good.

Playing wide on the right, she had already looked their most dangerous player even before her sensational opening goal on the half-hour.

After winning the ball high up, she looked up and guided a superb chip over goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.

Albion, with four of their 11 summer signings starting and three later joining the action from the bench, intermittently played some slick passing football at good tempo and this was never better illustrated than on their, and Seike’s, second goal.

They combined to send Poppy Pattinson to the byline down the left and Seike was one of three home players waiting in front of goal as she guided home the cross with a diving header.

Kirby’s penalty followed handball at a corner which resulted from Brosnan’s fine save from Vicky Losada’s free-kick.

Then, on a brisk counter-attack, Seike returned to centre stage.

She had options with her but went alone with a searing 20-yard drive which flew into the top corner.

Everton had moments of menace and Sophie Baggaley made a fine save early in the second half when the score was 1-0, tipping over from Inma Gabarro.

But there was a terrific buzz around a crowd of 2,125 – some of them chanting “we are top of the league” – and the final stages gave chance to introduce summer additions including Nikita Parris.

Albion gave full debuts to Marisa Olislagers, in a deep-lying midfield role alongside Vicky Losada, and Bruna Vilamala, who operated further forward.

Albion: Baggaley; Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Carabali, Pattinson; Losada, Olislagers (Symonds 66); Seike (Agyemang 88), Vilamala (Cancovic 73), Kirby (Haley 88); Bremer (Parris 72). Unused subs: Poulter, Auee, McLauchlan, Loeck.