FC Tokyo has signed a professional contract with Ryunosuke SATO (FC Tokyo U-18) and held a press conference at the Japan National Stadium on August 26 (Sat). We will now share comments from SATO, as well as from Shigeya KAWAGISHI, President and CEO, and Mitsushiro OBARA, General Manager, who were present at the conference.
＜Shigeya Kawagishi Representative Director and President＞
FC Tokyo has signed a professional contract with Ryunosuke SATO, who is currently playing for FC Tokyo U-18. This professional contract is a result of the club's continued efforts in developing players in the academy.
Although I am a second-year high school student, I have already made my official debut in the J-League's Levain Cup in March. In terms of being a starting member, I have surpassed Takefusa KUBO (currently playing for Real Sociedad) and set a new record as the youngest player in the club. In the matches I played, I showed a splendid performance on the professional pitch, and to encourage my growth and provide me with professional experience at an early stage, I have signed a professional contract.
In the recent U-17 Asian Cup, he showed a very impressive play and made a big contribution to the Japan national team. In November, he will be participating in the U-17 World Cup and is expected to perform on the world stage. We hope to support his growth as a future key player and eventually see him selected for the Japan national team, not just for FC Tokyo but as a representative player for Japan.
<Mitsushiro OBARA GM>
We would like to express our gratitude to all the club's development process and coaches, as well as soccer officials, school officials, and families, including the parents, who have been involved with Sato player. We have decided to enter into a professional contract with a promising player, taking into account the activities in the academy so far and the performance and achievements in the various age group national teams. We believe that by making this professional contract at this timing, we can further accelerate Sato player's growth.
In terms of play, I think that Satoshi Coach stands out head and shoulders above his peers, especially in his ability to read the game, observe the opponent, and his high physical ability and quickness, including high-intensity movement. In both offense and defense, his ability to choose the opponent's weak points, his intelligence, and his ability to take leadership and communicate well are necessary for Tokyo to win the league, and I look forward to him becoming a key player in the team. Of course, there are challenges and further growth needed, but I want to support Sato as he faces them and become a top player in Japan, and even spread his wings in the world.
Q: Can I participate in activities for both U-18 and the senior team?
As a registered player of Category 2, you can participate in the activities of the first team from training. If you can be involved in future league matches or Levain Cup as a member, you will accompany the team as a member of official matches. Even if it is difficult, I believe that playing in official matches at Sato's current age group will lead to the most growth, so there are options such as returning to U-18 activities and playing in the Premier League, or participating in training matches of the first team. I would like to discuss while always choosing the stage where Sato can grow the most.
During the pre-season camp, there was a moment when I saw player Kuryu MATSUKI and thought he could definitely compete in the professional world. Without saying anything, he ran up to player Nagatomo and jogged together, asking him various things and showing his high communication skills. I could see his desire to improve and draw something out of player Nagatomo. Also, there was a scene where player MATSUKI said to me, "I think player Sato will become a great player." When I asked him why, he said, "His way of thinking and speaking is similar to mine." I could feel the potential and mental strength of player Sato that made player MATSUKI say such things.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
I am Ryunosuke SATO, who has recently signed a professional contract with Tokyo. I am delighted to be able to play as a professional player as a member of the club I have admired since I was young. I believe that I have only just started at the starting line of a professional contract, so I want to have the awareness of a professional player from here on and play with a focus on results. I will continue to make efforts to become a player who will "excite" not only Tokyo but also the whole of Japan. Thank you for your support.
Q: Please share your honest feelings when you received the offer for a professional contract.
A, the most important thing is to be genuinely happy. Being able to play with professional players on the stage that I had set as a goal, and considering my own future growth, I made the decision to sign the contract without hesitation.
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on being able to sign a professional contract at this timing.
A, the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship ended with a runner-up finish, but there were many personal achievements. I think it was a very good timing to sign a professional contract at this time, as we look forward to the Club World Cup and the Premier League in the future.
Q: Did you participate in the pre-season camp this season? If so, is there anything that left an impression on you?
A, the most impressive thing for me was when Yuto Nagatomo, who had returned from the World Cup, talked about his national team activities and his life as a professional player. I think Nagatomo's words and his approach to soccer have had a big influence on me. Nagatomo is someone I admire and aspire to be like. Although we play in different positions, there are very few players in Japan who have experienced the World Cup four times and performed on the world stage, so I will do my best to surpass Nagatomo.
